Call pap!

I had a really interesting phone call yesterday with my youngest son Andy. Seems that he got a call from his wife Katie at work telling him how her morning, which happened to be her birthday, started. She had just gotten out of the shower was dressed and blow drying her hair when she heard someone knocking on her front door. Did I say knocking, what I really meant was POUNDING with their fists. She could also hear voices outside and being alone at home with two small children she was understandably apprehensive as she raced down stairs to see what all of the commotion was about.

Imagine her surprise when she peeked out the window and saw two uniformed police officers standing at her door. Had something happened to Andy? Was this a drug raid on the wrong address? I'm sure many things went through her mind as she decided if she should open the door for these two. Deciding that the uniforms looked “official” and wanting the pound in the door to stop Katie opened the front door just a crack and asked “Can I help you?”.

The officers explained that they were on her door step knocking on her door because the following conversation had taken place at the Westmoreland County 911 dispatch center.

911: “911 what is your emergency?”

response: “Hi call Pap”

911: “This is Westmoreland County 911 do you have an emergency?”

response: “Call Pap”

This was followed by the sound of a phone being placed on the floor with no further talking or communications. Now for those not familiar with procedures at a 911 answering center this is how it works. If that dispatcher gets a call and loses contact with the caller they will first attempt to call the number back and speak with the someone. If the number is busy, doesn't answer, or remains open with no response they send the cavalry! That of course is what happened in this situation.

Not only had Autumn managed to get the cordless phone down from its base and dial 911 but then managed to hide the phone. Katie and the two officers had to search the first floor to find it and hang up with the dispatcher who was still holding on the other end of the line waiting confirmation that the officers were in control of matters at the residence. They were very understanding and I'm absolutely sure this was not the first time they had answered such a call and I'm reasonably sure it won't be the last.

The only thing I haven't figured out yet is if Autumn dialed 911 by accident, she hasn't had her second birthday yet, or if she had learned that number from one of the many “educational” DVDs that are in the family collection from Sesame Street. I wouldn't be surprised at either answer being correct. Either way Katie will always have a birthday remembrance and a story to tell each year at this time.



Aren't they little angels when they are sleeping? Truly one of God's blessings!