In February 1971, I discovered a secret about myself.

On a quiet morning during my freshman year at college, I heard a deep rumble. How could a freight train be heading toward us?

Then the apartment began to shake. For almost a full minute.

We were in Pasadena experiencing the Sylmar, CA, earthquake. Turns out that a 6 point something (maybe 3, maybe 4) earthquake 25 miles away still rattles your teeth!

As soon as the rumbling settled, I found myself checking all of my roommates, while some of them were just checking themselves for broken bones or other injuries.

Turns out I am a person who responds to danger by trying to protect or look out for other people.

Our first responders are often people who respond to danger by running toward it, even though they know it may put their own l

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