ANYTHING GOES: Celebrating the simple things that are done right

Lately I have been thinking about what I take for granted.

Take police protection, for example.

Thus far in my life, I have called on it once . . . and that happened in Manassas.

I don’t want to go into specifics, but suffice it to say that I was dealing with a person whom I could not handle and the only thing I could think to do was call the Manassas police.

I wasn’t in danger, but it was impossible for me to resolve the situation. When the police showed up, I was relieved. Finally, I thought, someone who can take this problem off my hands for the moment.

Now, in this particular situation, I had tried nearly everything I could think of to do, and nothing was working. I imagine with a weak heart what would have happened if I did not have the convenient ability to
dial 911 and say, “I have a problem here. Could you please help me?”

It was easier than ordering a pizza. And when you need someone to help, that is exactly how easy you want something to be.

When considering services that are taken for granted, I also think of the Emergency Room, and for similar reasons.

There have been at least two times since I moved to Manassas that I have had to accompany someone to the Emergency Room at Prince William Hospital. And again, if I had not had that option, I’m not
entirely sure what I would have done.

They’ll take insurance, sure, but if you don’t have it, they’ll still help you.

That is quite a thing.

Being in the news business, I tend to think primarily about what is going wrong in my community. As I have explained in a previous column, I go with the status-quo theory of news — that is to say that
deviations from the status quo are what I consider significant.

But reflecting on my experiences at the local hospital and with the Manassas police department, I find myself reevaluating my viewpoint.

When I called the police that one time, they were there in minutes. I didn’t have to worry for a long period of time about what to do next because I knew help was quickly on its way.

When I went to the Emergency Room, even, I didn’t have to wait long. Sure, I did have to sit for a little while — maybe an hour — but in my situation I didn’t consider the wait burdensome.

What amazing things I speak of.

Manassas, Prince William County and Manassas Park do a good job of providing their police departments with the resources they need, and for that they deserve accolades.

For me, when I needed the Manassas Police, the situation flowed smoothly. It was like flicking a light switch or turning on a tap . . . I expected it to work as I would expect light or water.

And though I haven’t been to other area hospitals, my experience with Prince William was altogether positive.

What an incredible thing that any guy off the street can come in with an emergency situation and be told that help will be forthcoming.

Some areas have lesser degrees of competence when it comes to police or hospital care, so I consider myself fortunate that I live where I do.

And for now on, when considering my views of my locality, I will always temper them with the knowledge that whenever I need it, help is a phone call and a short wait away.

When I really think about it, the comfort of that knowledge makes up for most of the shortcomings I encounter.

Editorial page editor Alex Granados can be reached at agranados@insidenova.com or 703-878-8069. If you don’t reach him at one of those two numbers don’t call 911. He is probably OK.