As we wrap up the summer and shift to the cooler days of fall, I find myself taking part of an annual tradition…..the mental summer recap.

By all measures, it’s been a great summer for me, both personally and professionally. I’ve had a chance to travel, I’ve had great times with family and friends, I spent a lot time on the water, and I walked away with a great tan, and started an amazing new career journey.

But I also had an experience that puts my summer…and life…into perspective.

On an annual fishing trip to Canada with my husband and father in law, I had an experience that I thought I would NEVER have.

Be Prepared...

Without boring you with the minutia of detail, one night at dinner, I had to give my husband the Heimlich. He apparently decided that trying to stick half a Prime Rib down his throat partially chewed would be a simply wonderful idea. It became apparent to everybody at the table (and the whole restaurant for that matter) that he was in trouble as he stood next to the table with liquid dropping out of his face. He had tried to take a drink to wash the large chunk of cow down, and the drink was now dripping off his chin.

I have not mentioned this in a previous post, but my first job after college was as a flight attendant. As part of my training, we were taught how to administer the Heimlich. Needless to say, I had never actually done it. It became very real, very quick.

Luckily, it worked out. After 5-6 tries, the meat dislodged, and breathing was restored.

There could have been a LOT of this event could have worked out far worse than what actually happened. Instead there was only a little bit of that thinking and we went right back to fishing the next day.

Value Every Day!

My take away, aside from the validation that my Heimlich skills are on point, is to value every day. Tomorrow isn’t promised to any of us. Make the most of every day, count your blessings and don’t take ANYTHING for granted.