An Angel in Boots: Tribute to a Life-Saving Hero

There are times when art imitates life, at times subtly or indirectly, other times directly. Such a moment occurred as I read a passage of a book today, in part about families or friends who risk their lives to save others, and gratitude for them, never to be forgotten. I am reminded of the parallelism in life this week on that very subject, i.e., that of the sudden and unexpected death of a local and eminent hero, Tim Jones.

It was with a saddened heart that I entered my workplace Monday morning having heard the news Sunday evening online: a long-time and well-known, fearless member of the North Shore Search and Rescue team. His name and face splashed the media pages over the years, especially the local papers where I too live.

I said a brief prayer and fervently hoped that ‘they’ were mistaken, that in fact Tim Jones was actually in a coma (temporarily please) or experiencing a NDE (near death experience) and would return back to life, to normal, to us, to our community. After all, how could we live, as a community, without him?

I felt guided/strongly compelled to write an editorial letter thinking that of all the letters the newspaper would likely receive, mine would be passed over. After all, who am I but a member of the general public, insignificant and unknown, compared to his family, team, and those he helped save.

Surprisingly enough, my letter to the editor – with some slight tweaking – actually appeared in today’s local Province newspaper: “

I was shocked and deeply saddened to hear the loss of Tim Jones, the devoted leader of North Shore Rescue. How could you not know him? He was featured numerous times in the media. I hope that the team will be able to fill his big boots. Heart-felt condolences to the team, his family, friends, and community."

My heart wrote that. And this week as I read the various news articles, my eyes still shedding drops – they would now on paper except that I am typing – of unbelief, of loss, of deep and utter respect for this man whom I knew nothing about other than the fact that he saved countless lives.

I had wondered in past, what would draw such men – volunteers! – not even paid for their life-saving services (in many cases extreme) – to rescue others. The only reason that I could fathom is that it would require such a profound and compelling love and passion for the work and/or for people. One of Tim Jones’ comments in past was a testament to that.

My heart understands this reasoning. And I think it is because of that that my heart and soul is moved to pay tribute to this man whom I admire and love as a fellow human being, and as an angel, a former earth* angel, an angel in disguise. An angel, in hiking boots.

How are you or how can you be a ‘hero’ or ‘angel’ to others?

*See posting re Earth Angels, Dec. 14. 2011. If you copy and paste this manually into your browser/search engine it will work: http://xpressyouressence.blogspot.ca/2011/12/calling-all-angels-earth-angels-that-is.html