Strangers Perform Great Deeds

I need to say something that, in my mind, is not expressed frequently enough: We live among extraordinary people.

These are not people who seek to do great deeds, but people who achieve greatness in the course of day-to-day living. People who embrace a sense of caring that transcends friends and family, and extends to the world beyond. Folks I had never met before drove this point home to me Dec. 30.

My son Paul was in a life-threatening skiing accident at Silver Mountain near Kellogg. He incurred severe injuries and needed to be taken from the mountain in a helicopter. I was on the mountain, but we had become separated and I did not find out about the accident until later. This is where my story of great things begins.

First, the ski patrol and medical crew at Silver Mountain did a wonderful job of taking care of Paul. Then the Northwest Medstar team pitched in by getting him further stabilized and to the hospital. These groups cannot be thanked enough.

Then people started going above and beyond. Medstar, Silver Mountain and Kootenai Medical Center staff went to extensive efforts to locate us. They finally contacted my sister and the people at Super 8 Motel in Kellogg who informed my wife Laura. Rather than leave me stranded on the mountain with no way to get to Coeur d’Alene, Super 8 employee Dee Miller and her husband David drove Laura to Coeur d’Alene. We will not forget these fine folks, nor the woman who came from behind the counter, hugged Laura and said she was praying for our son.

When I found out, the Silver Mountain employees were kind, helpful and caring in every way. They hustled me and my other son onto the gondola for the ride down. I will always remember the handshake of the gentleman as we boarded. I could tell his expression of concern was sincere; I felt it in his caring grip and saw it in his eyes.

Later, as I sat next to Paul’s hospital bed, the people at Kootenai Medical Center continued the wonder started by the others.

So thanks to Gordon, Stan, Jan and the rest of the crew at Silver Mountain. Thanks also to Medstar, Stan Foster and the crews at Super 8 Motel and Kootenai Medical Center. Thank you for not only saving Paul, but for reinforcing my faith in people. Among all the bad we hear about society, I am convinced most people are good. A vast majority care and are everyday heroes.