Visitations

For some reason, people in our territory are a lot nicer to us as firefighters than in other parts of the city. People stop by all the time to our station. Parents bring their kids to see the fire truck. I personally love to show kids around, because I remember what it was like as a kid admiring that big shiny red truck. We let them try on our gear and turn on the lights. If they are lucky we will pull a hose off and let them spray some water. I know most other stations love to do the same for children.

New parents often stop by with their new car seats wanting to know how to properly install them before they bring home their new addition. I must be upfront with you all and tell you that we do not receive special training on car seats. We actually receive no training whatsoever. I help out, because having 3 kids, I have become a pro. The best thing to do is to read the instructions.

One night a car literally rolled up on our driveway and two young ladies began banging on our door. It seems that with the recent gas prices, ran out of gas just blocks from their home. What better place to go when you run out of gas at 2 in the morning, than the fire station. I stumbled out of bed and made my way to get the lawn equipment gas can. I gave them enough to get home and then crawled back in bed.

The goodies seem to appear at least monthly, if not more frequently. Cookies, cakes, muffins, sandwhiches/subs, and icecream arrive from people who want to say thank you. The most interesting was an elderly woman who came by and opened her trunk that had 2 cases of Coors Light for the "guys who saved her life." I was in shock and amused. She insisted we take it, so we put it in the car of one of my co-workers. No beer was drank while on duty.

The most moving visit came from a young lady in her 20's. We were winding down after 9 O'clock clean up when someone came knocking. There stood this young woman with puffy eyes and the tears began to flow. She was able to muster the words thank you. She said she recently attempted suicide and our paramedics made sure she lived. She then turned and quickly left. It was moving and so brief. The next morning I got held over for a couple of hours and she returned. She was smiling full of life. She handed us a painting of the poem "The Road Less Traveled." I gave her a hug and she shed some more tears and said she had a new love for life.

Tell the people you love how much you love them every chance you get. Don't underestimate the power of the words Thank You. It has done wonders for our morale and for those who work at our station from out of district. People suffer from burnout and bitterness when they don't know they are appreciated. Kids tell your parents, husbands tell your wives, tell your co-workers, family members, cashiers, clerks, anyone who does a service for you. I think it is also very necessary to count your blessings and be sure to thank God for all he does and not take his blessings for granted. The Bible says to "Give thanks to Lord, for He is good. His love endures forever."