This is a thank you to the several people who came to my aid last Thursday after I took a tumble on Tyler Street, across from Aldrich’s. I don’t know your names, but after your loving kindness, I certainly cannot call you strangers.

Thank you to the woman with long blonde hair who held my rather bloody hand as she told me to breathe, checked my pupils and pulse, etc. Thank you the man who rushed to my aid and stayed with me until I was driven home. Thank you to the young woman who, when I was able, lifted me from lying on the ground to standing straight up in one graceful move. Thank you to the woman who wisely encouraged me to let her call 911 and, I believe, found my glasses and put the lens back in. Thank you to the friend who kissed my cheek and said, “Hello, Sunshine.” Thank you to the other people, whom I didn’t see, but whose voices I heard, conferring with each other, pooling their knowledge to help me.

Thank you to the EMTs who checked me out and made sure I was OK to go home. Thank you vitamins A, K and D, plus silica, and boron for keeping my bones strong! (Please don’t rush out and buy all that stuff. See a health professional first. Just sayin’.)

And thank you to my yoga teacher who has helped to get my body to a point where somehow, miraculously, I could weather that fall as well as I did!

Thank you dear, sweet town.

Elissa Smith
Port Townsend