This morning I awoke to the headline news that 19 young fire fighters had been killed trying to make an escape route for others in the Arizona Wildfires. For me, this strikes an emotinal chord. My brother and my nephew are both fire fighters.
This is my brother fighting a "not so big" fire. He recently retired after 27 years and retiring as Batallion Captain. I am very proud of him and very glad he is no longer risking his life to save others.
After 9-11 and all the rescue workers who were killed, I was very upset and concerned about my brother and the work he did. He hugged me and told me he loved me. Then he said "Cookie, I am doing what I love to do. If I die, I die doing what I love to do... helping others to live.". That quote has stayed with me. I hear it over and over in my brain. Now he is retired and traveling the world with his wife...enjoying life.
My nephew, a young man with a wife, a son, and a daughter (soon to be born) is following in his uncle's boot steps. Again, I am concerned about his well being. His wife and kids need him. His extended family needs him. Today I wrote to him to tell him that I love him. I appreciate the fact that he would willingly walk into Hell and back in order that another person (or animal) would live. I assured him of my prayers and I prayed angels surround him and protect him. He also said to me, "Aunt Cookie, I love what I do."
I am so incredibly proud of these two men. My other brother would do the same thing as a regular citizen, but these two do it as a vocation. I pray for them and I thank God for them.