“Everything happens for a reason!”

It had been more than 25 years since Mary Gamble had taken a course in CPR, but while playing tennis one fateful evening, that knowledge helped her save a life

Mary Gamble raised her tennis racquet high and took a deep breath. The beautiful California evening last May had been perfect for a doubles match at Albert Park in San Rafael, where Mary played her favorite sport at least once a week. She was about to serve the winning point, when suddenly, a commotion broke out on the adjacent court. Mary froze mid-swing.

“Is he okay?” her teammate yelled loudly, his eyes wide.

“No, I think he’s having a heart attack!” came a panicked reply. “Someone call 911!”

In an instant, Mary and her teammates ran across the court, where they found a man lying lifeless on the ground.

He’s going to die! she trembled, her stomach dropping.

It had been 26 years since the 53-year-old had taken a CPR class at the American Red Cross, and thankfully, she’d never had to actually use it. But now her instructor’s words echoed through her mind: If CPR is started right away, it triples the chance for survival…

Without hesitating, Mary dropped to her knees and felt for a pulse. Finding none, her own heart pounded faster. Taking a deep breath, she placed her clenched fists on the man’s sternum and began pressing with all of her strength.

“Please let this work!” she prayed out loud, rhythmically counting each chest compression.

By the time paramedics arrived seven minutes later, Mary’s arms ached. But the man, whom players identified as Jeff English, 53, had miraculously started breathing.

“Thank You, God!” Mary said, watching as Jeff was loaded into the ambulance.

Later, Mary went to the hospital, where she learned that Jeff had undergone a procedure to put a stent in a clogged artery, but he was going to be okay.

She also met Jeff’s parents, who thanked her profusely for saving their son, a father of two sons. Shaken, Mary gave them her contact information.

And later that week, Jeff called Mary from the hospital.

“Thank you so much for saving my life,” he choked.

“I’m just happy you’re okay. It wasn’t just me. It takes a village,” Mary smiled, noting that the paramedics and doctors deserved most of the credit.

Two weeks later, Mary arranged to meet Jeff at the place where fate had brought them together. As they came face-to-face, Mary exclaimed, “It’s so good to see you!”

And as tears of joy fell, they shared a long hug.

“I’ll always be grateful to Mary for what she did for me,” says Jeff, who is now healthier than ever. “Seeing my kids and parents again and getting the chance to make more memories is an amazing feeling.”

Mary thinks back to the CPR class she took in her 20s and has a whole new appreciation for her training.

“Taking that course all those years ago and being on the tennis court that night wasn’t completely random: I truly believe this was part of a higher plan— God put me there for a reason!”

— Diane Nichols

“Saving Jeff reminded me how precious life is,” says Mary ( left), who gave Jeff ( right) CPR after a heart attack