Thank YOU!

A couple of weeks ago, I had started this post but failed to finish it in a timely manner. Albeit better late than never.

The value of a "Thank You" is hard to put into words but I am about to attempt.

The second week of April each year is a week that is nationally recognized as National Telecommunicators Week that, ironically, receives very little recognition.

I guess when you really think about our job, it shouldn't be all that surprising. We are the voices. We are heard and never seen. We work to save lives while waiting for the heros that you see show up on scene.  We are the true first responsders. We are the first on scene, seeking out ways to keep everyone that will be there in the next few moments as well as those already there safe. So without a face, we are also the first that are forgotten.

We all understand this job hazard and most take it in stride. We receive very little positive recognition but when we do, the value of it is insurmountable.

The "Thank you" that so rarely comes is met with gratitude. You'll find a common response when thanking a dispatcher may be "you do not need to thank me." I feel that it is because we are so used to the thankless nature of our job we often feel it is not warranted. We were doing our job and that is what we do - no need to thank me...

Recently, I received a message from a man. It was simple but filled me with such joy. You might recall reading in my last post about that one time I delivered a baby - it was him. The frantic soon to be father as he scrambled to help both his baby and his wife through the ordeal. He sent me a picture of a little girl and his message read... "On January 4th, my daughter will turn 4 years old. Thanks again for helping me bring her into this world. You are a treasure and your job is important and appreciated."

I had not heard from him since a few days after the event when he called to thank me over the phone. It fills me with pride to know that there is a little girl who is now 4 and a family that is filled with her presence because I was there that day. It is a blessing to see how the story turned out and that "Thank You" is something that I will treasure for the rest of my life.

So if you happen to think about it, remember that a "Thank You" can change a person's entire outlook on life. It can make them feel appreciated and accepted when the rest of the world seems to overlook them. This is true in other fields of labor and capacities. So thank your waitress/waiter, the nice person who held the door, the 911 operator who answered your questions, saved your life or just made you smile. Thank your parents for their self sacrifice and your friends for their friendship.  All of these things we take for granted and we forget the value of a "Thank You."