Last week, I informed readers that we would be sharing the stories of some amazing “Women of Progress” this past Monday-Wednesday. It was a project I was heavily involved in, and one that I truly enjoyed.

As part of preparing those reports, we asked the women we interviewed to address certain questions in keeping with the theme of those section. One thing we asked them to describe was the “Aha! moment” when each of those individuals knew they had found their calling.

We received a wide variety of answers, depending on the person, their field and how they became involved in it. In a couple of cases, there had been no such moment — things just evolved until those women arrived at where they are today.

There was one description of an “Aha! moment,” though, that really caught me off guard and made me think hard about what this person was saying.

Patty Phillips, squad captain for the Smith Township Volunteer Fire Department, said those moments happen for her all the time.

This coming Monday, we will feature even more stories of the Women of Progress within our pages. I anticipate that much of Patty’s story will be told there. As for her “Aha! moment,” I would like to share her response here. I believe readers will find it as moving as I did, and perhaps it will help us all to appreciate the sacrifices that first responders make for the rest of us each and every day.

Here it is, in the words of Patty Phillips:

“My AHA moment: There have been many. … Some of the most recents have been: A few years ago we were called for a woman in labor … not an unusual call, but, she was ready to deliver. As I knelt on the bathroom floor, preparing for this new little life, I absolutely said a prayer. The overwhelming joy when that little premature girl came out into my arms was amazing. The excitement was remarkable. Mother and baby were both find and the little girl is happy and healthy.”

“We were called for a motor vehicle accident mutual aid, with a vehicle over a steep embankment. After arriving on scene and assessing the situation, we went to work, trying to do all I could for the patient, knowing full well what the outcome was going to be when they began the time consuming extrication. I entered the vehicle, with a firefighter holding my belt loops, to hang virtually upside down and begin what I could to treat the patient. As more advanced medical help arrived, I was still doing all that could be done, while family and friends watched from the roadway. After making sure that everyone on scene knew what the outcome was going to be, the extrication began. My fingers were on his pulse for the entire time. As his life left his body and the pulse subsided, I still knew that I had tried. I knew that I was and am still meant to be serving my community.”

“Calming parents down as their child is having their first seizure and watching them relax as you and your partners work.”

“Finding a veteran curled up on a cold concrete slab in the middle of winter, without a ride to his home, states away. Taking him to the station, feeding him and finding him a place to stay.”

“Arriving on scene of a suicide, knowing that the family is going to need your care and support more at that time, than the deceased.”

“These have all been aha moments, along with many others, over the years.

“When you live in a small community, you know 99 percent of the people you are called to help, and that is sometimes the hardest part of what we do, but also the most rewarding. These have all been moments when I was glad a was a volunteer first responder.

“I feel like the valley, even though it is growing, is still a great place to raise a family, and begin a career in what you enjoy. I think we have progressed and that women are now finding their place in the First Responder community.”

∫ ∫ ∫

Wow. I don’t know how Patty and the rest of the men and women who stand ready to help others at any moment can do it day after day. But, Patty provided a bit more insight with the motto that she lives by, shared below.

“The most important two letter words: IF IT IS TO BE, IT IS UP TO ME.

“If I want things to happen in my life, it is up to me to make it happen. I can’t wait on someone else to do it for me. I can’t wait on others to make me happy. I can’t wait on others to fulfill my dreams and desires.

“I could never do this without my family and all the wonderful members of our department. We work together as a team. We laugh together, we cry together, in the end we work hard together to serve our community. We don’t do it for the pat on the back or the thank you, we do it because we care about the community we live in.”

All I can say is this: Thank you, Patty, for everything that you do.