Front Porch Reflections
Comb Your Hair
My son Eric is a paramedic with the Las Vegas Fire Department. Most days, I have no idea what his shift actually looks like, which is probably for the best. But every once in a while, something comes through the family group text that reminds me exactly what kind of work he does.
Last week, it was a picture of him holding a baby bundled in a blanket. The caption said he had delivered a baby in a flood channel.
A flood channel. A baby. My son, calm as you please, doing what paramedics do—showing up in the middle of someone else’s emergency and making sure mother and baby came through it safely.
A couple of days ago, he let us know Fox 5 News was scheduled to interview him. Wow!
Naturally, as his mother, I had some very important advice.
“Congratulations! Remember to comb your hair.”
I quickly sent a follow-up text.
“Oops, sorry!”
Eric is bald. Has been for years. Yeah, the kid who was voted “Best Hair” in his senior class has no hair. I love teasing him about it. Just because he’s out there delivering babies in flood channels and being interviewed on the local news doesn’t mean he can escape the Paul Family jesting.
I am so proud of the man Eric has become. He shows up for strangers on their worst and most unexpected days. If you know him, you probably wouldn’t describe him as calm, but when the situation calls for it, calm, caring professionalism takes over.
Watching this video, I couldn’t help but see the same grin he has carried with him his whole life.
And Eric, if you’re reading this—comb your hair.
— Charlene