A Surprising Compliment

At the hospital, after everyone left the ambulance, I was alone for a bit until someone came in—I think it was the driver. He asked, “So you live in Idaho, in the mountains?” When I confirmed, he said, “Is everybody there as strong as you?”

“I don’t know. Am I strong?” I asked.

“I have never, ever seen an accident where anybody, especially three women, stayed that calm,” he replied. “You are amazing. I can’t even believe that no panicking. You stayed calm. You are a rock star.”

I said, “Well, it doesn’t do any good to panic. Just breathe through it, and I’m going to be okay.”

The doctor who had been on the roadside came up before I went into the hospital and gave me a hug. I didn’t think I had done anything special, but apparently my composure had made an impression. I guess it was the power of adrenaline, support, and focused breathing.