A Christmas Passing

Christmas morning went fine for the family. However the telephone rang jus’ a few minutes after noon causing Dad and I to race out the door, towards the Yurok Volunteer Fire Department.

We were soon en route to an emergency in the Klamath Glen. Once Dad told me what sort of emergency we had, I quickly moved my stethoscope and blood pressure cuff from a side pocket on my first-out bag to the top of the bag.

Inside the home, I quickly located the victim. I could tell right away that there was very little anyone could do for the man, but I proceeded to make a cursory check anyway.

The man, in his late-70s or perhaps early-80s, had passed away quietly in his sleep. I gently pulled the blankets up around him, without covering his face and went outside to await the arrival of the county coroner, while Dad remained inside with the man’s wife and a neighbor couple.

Needless to say, the remainder of that Christmas day was rather subdued for me and Dad.