CPR

I spent 3 plus hours the other nite at the local Red Cross taking the adult CPR class. I have many things to say about the strange and relatively inept pedagogy of the class, but this moment is dedicated to my mom and pop. About halfway through the process of pumping and breathing the interchangeable-faced mannequin, I started to think what it must have been like for my dad to wake up one August morning 3 years ago and turn to say good morning to his wife. She doesn't respond, so he shakes her. She doesn't wake up and scold him. He tries again. She doesn't look quite right. "honey?" "HONEY!" The pale and pasty lifeless body is the only response. He tries to revive her with his memory of CPR. He calls 911. He breathes and pumps and prays and waits and waits....alone...

the ambulance arrives 45 minutes later