“I know that I have life insofar as I have love. I have no love except it come from Thee. Help me, please, to carry this candle against the wind.” -Wendell Berry As most people know, we have experienced some difficult days in the Flathead over the last month and a half. Death, pain, and … Read More
In the last 10 days, I have witnessed the top of a car being ripped open in order to try and save someone, trainees honing their skills and newfound strength while learning from a master, a couple being talked down from a domestic disaster, and a person withstanding and surviving a surprise attack. These events … Read More
One of the joys I have is teaching Compassion Fatigue to each class of new nurses at our hospital. This seminar helps to equip these registered nurses to take care of themselves while they serve in a high-stress career that too often leads to burnout within their first year. Those who work in the caregiving … Read More
By Chaplain Chris Messenger A couple of weeks ago, I received a call from Drew Buckner, the head chaplain at Braveheart Ministry, and he asked if I wanted to go on a call with him concerning the death of a teenager in downtown Kalispell. Though internally not knowing what to expect, my desire to help … Read More
It’s the phone call-page out that no one who works in the emergency responder world wants to receive. It almost automatically raises one’s heart rate, blood pressure, stress level and more. It’s that of an infant not breathing or having died. When I was called by dispatch, it was not quite mid-morning and the infant … Read More
In an instant. This phrase brings to mind the reality of how fast one’s life can change. The A.L.E.R.T. helicopter is lifting off with a driver injured in an accident in which he quickly crossed over the center line and struck a much larger, oncoming truck and trailer. He then careened into another big truck, … Read More
“Thanks for being here.” I hear this phrase quite often from responders on scene, especially in the midst of the more graphic, harsh situations. Last night, I heard this comment from several law enforcement officers as we stood in the middle of Highway 93, a few miles south of Whitefish. It was late at night, … Read More
When an experienced responder calls me on a Saturday to inform me of a REALLY bad motor vehicle accident, I know that I should assess my immediate plans in light of needing to go to the emergency room. He mentions that the hospital chaplains might already be involved, but he wants me to know just … Read More
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