Who do you thank when you crash… and when you don’t?

“You don’t know what you need until you need it.”

“Gratitude is best as a state of mind, not just an after-the-fact reaction.”

And, of course…

“Look before you leap.”

Tonight, all three apply to me.

I just needed the speedy, strong and wise help of mountain patrol first responders at an epic chairlift-served downhill mountain bike park.

I was only on my 4th run of a three-day guys’ trip when I sliced off the trail and went down a steep embankment generously decorated with enough small boulders and trees to make things interesting.

Thankfully, my friends were my immediate responders before the first responders arrived.

Mat scrambled down the steep hill, got me up and seated on a log. Another Jeff called mountain patrol. My wise, risk-avoidant surgeon friend David cut short his riding and met me at the aid station to help assess whether the dizziness from a mild concussion had ended. Thankfully, my helmet had mitigated the impact.

Then Alden, Ryland and a local firefighter calmly and swiftly handled the crisis created by a 67-year-old dude who didn’t follow through very well on his wife’s warnings to be wise and ride more carefully.

They got me out of the gully, off the mountain, bandaged up and into the aid station. Mat then drove me to urgent care for abrasion cleaning, antibiotic ointment and a couple stitches before they wrapped my left arm and shin like a blue mummy just in time for Halloween.

There’s something valuable about having friends close enough to notice, care, act quickly and know when it’s time to call in the professionals.

Two of my sons are firefighters, which probably amplified my desire to thank this perfectly prepared team of first responders.

And here’s the remarkable timing:

Today, October 28 is National First Responders Day.

For me, October 26 became Local First Responders Day.

My takeaway is simple:

Appreciate, value and THANK our police, firefighters, mountain patrol and emergency responders all year long, especially when you DON’T need them to rescue you from a gully.

And be grateful for dependable friends who are there before the professionals arrive.

To all first responders, THANK YOU for your courage, preparation and willingness to serve the rest of us.

Including a 67-year-old dude who definitely should have listened to his wife and ridden more carefully!