I Remember You…

When you told me how you were punched by a drunk in the emergency department, I remember you.

When you told me about being choked by a drunk in the ambulance, I remember you.

When you told me how the girl looked like your daughter, just before she slashed your face, I remember you.

When you told me you wanted to carry a gun on the job because of violence, I remember you.

When we were in class and I asked if you had been criminally assaulted and you raised your hand, I remember you.

When you told me about being violently attacked by the OD you just gave Narcan, I remember you.

When you told me you were afraid to speak up, for fear of ridicule, I remember you.

When you began to cry as you told me about being groped on the job, I remember you.

When you told me how scared you were when he threatened you, I remember you.

When you told me how peers made fun of you after your attack, I remember you.

When I saw the hurt in your eyes as you spoke of your attack, I remember you.

When I would share a news report of violence and you called me a fear monger, I remember you.

When you sent me the email that started with “I want to tell you something, but please don’t share” and then you told your story of being attacked, I remember you.

When you car-jacked my ambulance, punched me in the face, I remember you.

When you were the news reporter sent to cover the story of our culture change, and you acted like it was a waste of your time, I remember you.

When you were violently attacked during a routine “transfer” by a “psych patient”, I remember you.

When you told me about being stabbed on the call you tech’d because you felt your female partner would be safer to drive, I remember you.

When you made fun of me for trying to change the culture, I remember you.

When you trained with us and asked for “more” training time, I remember you.

When you never took the class yet asked me to shorten it, I remember you.

When you joined me on this quest to change the culture, I remember you.

When you believed in me, when it was not the cool thing to do… forever and always, I remember you.

When you hugged me and thanked me for what we are trying to accomplish, I remember you.

When I can’t sleep at night, it is because… I remember you.