Monday, April 21, 2008

Fun Monday - Accomplishments

This week's hostess is Southern Doll and this is what she wants. Sort of a reverse bucket list - or would that be a tsil tekcub?





What have you done in your life that was worth doing? I want to know the moments in your life that you hope will be the ones to pass through your mind when your time comes. I hope that doesn't sound too morbid. This doesn't necessarily have to be items you have checked off your Bucket List, it can be those small moments that made you smile, or the time you got that huge promotion you deserved, or the first time your baby smiled at you out of pure joy. I want to know all the moments, big and small, that make life sweet! If you don't already have a running list of these in your mind, you should! These moments help you remember how much your life is worth living, and we all deserve to enjoy it.



I have done a lot of thinking about this one and I have truly been amazed at some of the things that I have done. This is due, in part, to one of my previous jobs. I was a police dispatcher for a number of years and have had some truly life-saving and life-ending calls. My favorite, though, is just about a little girl.



I was working afternoons when a little girl called and said, "My name is Sally Sue Schimmelpennick* and I just got home from kindergarten and my mommy is not home". I asked if she had looked in the house and she said yes. I asked if she had looked at the neighbors and, in that voice that children reserve for stupid adults, she said, "I am not allowed to leave the house without my mommy's permission and I can't ask my mommy because she is not here". I acknowledged that she was right and asked her if she knew her address (this was pre-911 and addresses were not hooked to computers and phone numbers). She told me what street she lived on and said she did not know the number. I asked if there was a piece of paper or something in the house with her address on it. She asked me if I could hold on for a minute and she would go out on the porch and look at the numbers on the front of her house. I said that I would. She came back on the phone and gave me the numbers. I dispatched an officer to check on the child and see if he could help her find her mommy, staying on the phone with her until he got there.



Several minutes passed after the officer arrived at the address. He came on the radio and said, laughter in his voice, that Mrs. Schimmelpennick wanted to thank the very nice lady on the phone and that if Sally Sue had bothered to look in her own back yard, she would have found her mommy gardening. Mrs. Schimmelpennick called me later to apologize. I told her that it was unnecessary and that Sally Sue had done exactly what she was supposed to do. All in all, just a nice call with a terrific outcome.



I believe that it is in the little things that we make the greatest difference. Sally Sue, at a time in my life when I was in danger of becoming cynical and jaded, reminded me that there are those moments when everything does go right and there is a happy ending.


*names have been changed because I am old and cannot remember the child's name and because the name Sally Sue Schimmelpennick amuses me.

25 comments:

Junebug said...

Great post. It shows that the little girl's mom had taught her well.

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful memory! Thank you for my Monday smile.

ChrisB said...

I wonder if Sally Sue and her mom still talk about that call. It is a lovely story to remember...

and you are right you've given them a great name :)

Anonymous said...

I love Sally Sue, too. I hope you copied that name, because I cannot imagine having to retype Schimmelpennick six times..

kitten said...

That is so heart touching!

Jo Beaufoix said...

Hee hee, I loved this story, and Sally Sue Schimmelpennick amused me too. :D

Heather said...

this was so sweet. And your name for Sally Sue and the reason behind it made me laugh. thank you!

Anonymous said...

Such a sweet and silly story - BUT, you did make a difference to that scared little girl.

My kids have freaked out like that when I just stepped outside for 2 minutes and they saw me all of 5 minutes ago.

Beckie said...

Sally Sue IS a great name! What a story - definitely a memory!

Aoj and The Lurchers said...

What a lovely story! But that must have been a job that had it's traumatic moments.

Queen of the Mayhem said...

That name amuses me too! :)

I do so love a story with a happy ending! If only they would all end like this!

Sayre said...

How sweet! That little girl's mother must have wondered what was going on when the police officer pulled up...

the planet of janet said...

what a wonderful story! thank you for sharing it. it made me smile.

Alison said...

great story Sandy, I bet Sally and her mom both remember it also!!

Anonymous said...

I loved reading this post, Sandy!

Sayre said...

Sandy - a little present for you on my blog...

Anonymous said...

You are very quick. I had just posted my blog for the evening, brushed my teeth and you had already commented. It makes my back ache a little less when I know you are right there patiently waiting for my insight on the world.
By the way, very cool last name that will often confuse people at restaurants. I used to make up names all the time - but on occasion, forgot what it was when they called for me... See ya later! NLM

Driftwood and Pumpkin said...

Great storytelling! What a wonderful experience to remember!

Pamela said...

oh my!!! I wonder what ever happened to her. Did she ever call and say 'Hey, remember me?" ha ha ha ha.
A fun fun story.

Sayre said...

If you're lacking for inspiration, I've tagged you on my blog! That'll give you something to write about!

Overwhelmed! said...

What a fun story! Thanks for sharing. :) Love the name you made up. :)

Kim said...

Sandy,

Where are you? Are you myandering in warm tropical climes or taking a bloggy break?

We miss you.

Patience-please said...

Delightful! What a great story!
Thanks for sharing that bit of sunshine.

(the late Patience, who was travelling)

bichonpawz said...

Terrific story! Bet little Sally Sue and her mom still talk about that! And I love the name Sally Sue too.

And I'll Raise You 5 said...

That story'll make me smile for days...thanks!

 
Myanderings - Free Blogger Templates, Free Wordpress Themes - by Templates para novo blogger HD TV Watch Shows Online. Unblock through myspace proxy unblock, Songs by Christian Guitar Chords