For many years I have been covering up my graying hair. If you have gray hair, you should be wise enough to have answers, and I didn’t want to answer any more questions.
On Sunday March 1st, I was taking a walk with Lola (my new dog), to Tillson Lake. I was walking down to the water’s edge and took alarm at the large group of people on the other side; many were wearing those neon vests. I saw some splashing in the water and quickly thought someone had fallen in—this was a rescue. I stood and watched for a few minutes more, and realized that this was a mock rescue. I was taken aback. I wanted to watch more, so I walked to the other side, watching everything that was going on, listening to the chatter and the directions that were given to the rescuers in the water.
As I got closer I saw the Shawangunk fire department vehicles and was greeted by a very handsome firefighter. I extended my hand, introduced myself and thanked him for what they were doing—it was so cold that Sunday! Out on the water was a man with grey hair directing and teaching our young men how to rescue someone who’s fallen into icy water. On a Sunday, at 9:30 AM, while many were having breakfast with their families, our volunteer firefighters were standing in the cold, waiting for their turn to be in the icy water of Tillson Lake. I thank those men. Those strands of wisdom—techniques for saving lives—are worth teaching and passing on. I am very proud of all of them and thanked them for doing what they do. As I walked away because I was getting cold, I thought to my self, WOW.