Apple Watch to the Rescue

Last Sunday morning around 8:30 I got a text from Dad, saying “Hard Fall SOS, emergency services called.  You’re receiving this because you are listed as an emergency contact.”  Then a little map appeared showing his location.  It was his apartment.

I was in the shower.

My brother, Steve, then texted, “Dad are you okay?”  Turns out all four of us kids got the same text.

There was no reply.

So began the journey our family has been on this past week.

Gratefully, Dad’s caregiver showed up for work moments later and found him on the floor, dizzy and dazed.  She realized someone was speaking on his Apple Watch, trying to connect with him.  Without his hearing aids he couldn’t hear it.  Thankfully, she took over and was able to help emergency services know what to expect when they arrived, which was very soon after that.

Dad spent much of the week at the hospital and is now at rehab working toward a full recovery. I know he’d appreciate your prayers to that end.

I’d tried to talk Dad out of getting that watch. All of us kids did.  We thought it frivolous and expensive for an old man of 90 (at the time).  He’d persisted, despite our arguments, saying it had this great feature that might come in handy for him – and us – someday. If he fell, it would notify us and call 911 for him, which he thought was important since we all live so far away. Now, I’m grateful he’d insisted, and I gave my blessing, because that’s exactly what it did. And I believe God led us to that decision for this very situation.

Let me encourage you today to pray for your parents and grandparents; love, honor, and care for them well, as the Bible instructs us.  And if you’re wondering what to get them for Christmas or their birthday, I highly recommend an Apple Watch.  It may be a life saver one day!

Psalm 34:4-7 ESV

“I sought the Lord, and He answered me and delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to Him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed. This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him and saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and delivers them.”