Hero

Carol retired from driving the ambulance last month.

She's been on call five days a week or more since May of 2001, sometimes answering as many as four or five calls in one day, sometimes none. She has logged well over 2,000 runs since she started and she's received countless compliments and thanks from patients for her kindness while helping the paramedics.

Tony Mooney, the head paramedic and assistant fire chief, credits her with being "the smoothest driver he's ever ridden with." (Contrary to popular opinion, speed isn't the most important thing in driving an ambulance.)

The days when Carol was impatiently waiting, and her radio stayed silent were the most difficult, but when the Waldport "tone" sounded she would grab the radio, her fire department jacket, give me a running kiss and be out the door. One time she got in the car with the TV remote control instead of the radio but I caught her in time. Taz even learned to recognize the Waldport tone and when it sounded he would start barking, adding to the excitement.

It's nice knowing that whatever we're doing, like eating lunch or her giving me a haircut won't be interrupted any more, but I know she misses it dearly.