Update on Firefighter, Don Keller

I recently shared an important event in my life, the situation concerning Don Keller, an EMT and firefighter with the Troutville Volunteer Fire Department in Virginia.

Don Keller had come home to find his house on fire and went in to put it out. He was rescued after collapsing from smoke inhalation but developed pneumonia and then had a heart attack.

Unlikely as it was that I would be watching the news, especially just waiting to go to lunch with my aunt, I heard of his story, and I knew I wanted to see him.

I stood there by his hospital bed in ICU and held his hand and talked to him. I also left him a copy of Jessie's drawing, as I felt led to do. I was so deeply moved that I got to hold the hand of one of the men who lovingly and painfully carried away the remains of my family's earthly bodies, and even more so that Don keeps a picture of my family in his truck.

In my email to all of you, I wrote that "I hope Don will be fully recovered by the time I return next month so he and I can talk." I am excited to tell you that I spoke with Don Keller by phone Saturday afternoon. I had called his mother to check on his condition and she said he had been released from the hospital and was in fact over at the fire station visiting his crew.

I called the fire station and we had a brief, but very encouraging chat. Don still has lots of smoke in his body, and the doctors expect it to be out in 2-3 weeks. If not, they have a way of getting it out. He is recovering and he sounds great. And I can't wait to see him, to just sit and talk. He was not aware that I had been to see him, other than his mother telling him - I told him, "that's okay, we had a great conversation,"- but he does have Jessie's drawing and I think we're both looking foward to meeting. Hopefully, I'll be able to post a picture of us together after our visit.