So it's my first Christmas in Abilene, and what an interesting week it has been. Coming from New England, I'm used to snowdrifts and freezing temperatures this time of year, so I was pretty thrown off by the 80 degree temperatures we had this week! I was a little nervous for this time of year as it's my first Christmas away from home and my family, but I've been lucky enough to meet some great people here who have made me feel right at home.
Last weekend, I was able to cover an actual "Christmas miracle" that really brought me back to what Christmas is all about. On Saturday, a woman was at a Christmas party when she abruptly collapsed onto the ground. Other people at the party who saw her fall immediately called 9-1-1 and started yelling for a nurse. Luckily, two nurses were there, and when they came running, they saw it was actually one of their friends who was suffering from a massive heart attack. The two women performed CPR on her until paramedics arrived and got her heart beating regularly again with a defibrillator. If it hadn't been for those two women, she would have been dead by the time the EMT's arrived.
On Sunday, I spoke with her family and the two women who saved her life. It was awesome to speak with these people who had gained this newfound appreciation for life in a matter of seconds. It just goes to show how precious life is and how in the blink of an eye, everything can change. It made me appreciate my life and family that much more - so if you can, go home and hug your mom and dad!
I'm meeting with the woman who survived the heart attack this weekend and I can't wait to hear what she has to say. Until then...Merry Christmas everyone!
