I complain plenty about Oakland city government. But at dinner 2yo swallowed something wrong and started choking. She was still breathing, but with difficulty. When she couldn't talk or make sounds above a whisper we called 911. You're not supposed to do the Heimlich if the airway is only partially obstructed, apparently, but this meant there was nothing to do at all except stand there and encourage her to cough. "Yell," we would suggest to her between coughs, and she'd make these concerning little whistley sounds. I think the first police officer was on our doorstep in like 3 minutes, and a fire truck and ambulance within 5. Of course the minute they arrived she coughed successfully and was completely fine. But if she hadn't been - and when this kind of thing happens it's impossible not to play out what happens if it hadn't been - help was minutes away. Sometimes it feels like I owe more to our civilization than I could ever possibly repay. I write blog posts, and raise kids, and if I ever need it a dozen strangers will be at my doorstep with unfathomably complicated emergency medicine. I am grateful to the cops and the firefighters and the paramedics and the city of Oakland. I will probably sentimentally vote for some of the bond issues I was on the fence about even though we already have the highest taxes in the Bay. She's fine. We sang happy birthday to her Mommy a couple minutes later, and she sang the loudest.