Two brothers and their families are close friends of ours. They have both been members of Congregations where I served as Senior Rabbi.

One and his family are in Alaska, on holiday. They have been on ships whale watching, and camping taking nature pictures. The other brother, who now lives alone has been ill.

At the request of the vacationing brother, Daily when I can I visit him to walk the man to and from morning and afternoon-evening religious services. When chaplaincy duties render this impossible, I made advance arrangements for others to walk with him.

Before the sun rose this morning, I was at his home, to walk him to Brachot ha Shachar (pre-dawn blessings).

I found him passed out on the floor of his apartment. I immediately called 911. I followed their instructions to get him breathing again, and his heart pumping once more. Emergency medical technicians arrived within minutes. He was immediately taken to the emergency room. I followed in my car.

The doctors later told me had I arrived a few more minutes later, it would have been over for him. It appears he will fully or almost fully recover.

It is very important that people living alone with health care challenges BOTH have life alert systems, and human contact to check up on them. We cannot always prevent tragedy. We reduce the chance of preventable problems by taking proper precautions. There is wisdom in staking the odds in our favor. All it takes is a few daily visits.  

Peace, Blessings, and Being the Keepers of All In Our Human Family.