Stop, Drop and Blog

Three years ago today FireDad started at the Fire Department. He wasn’t yet FireDad. He was just FireHusband. And, prior to that day, really, he was ParamedicHusband. But we didn’t do nicknames back then. I digress. Three years ago today he left for twenty-four hours and our lives were changed forever.

Not schedule wise, of course. As a Paramedic, he also worked twenty-four hour shifts followed by forty-eight hours off like he does now. It’s really a nice schedule to have when I’m honest about it but, continuing with honesty, I get confused at times, too. That’s why it’s nice to have the handy wallet calendar card with the color coded days. Of course, thanks to the Leap Year falling at the end of this month, his color changes. And I’m back to being confused. Alas, such is the life in a Fire Family.

Some changes involved fear. When he was just solely a Paramedic, I didn’t bother turning on or listening to the scanner. I knew that his life was rarely in danger and that he was working mostly to save others lives. With the new job brought about the scary reality that fire is, in fact, kind of dangerous. I found myself, many a night, glued to the scanner after he rushed out the door following a late night page. This is not good for a woman with anxiety, let me tell you. My nerves would get the best of me from time to time. Nowadays I sometimes listen but have taught myself to keep it turned off when he’s on a fire call if only just at night so I can catch some sleep.

He’s grown through the Fire Department as well. I see him talk with pride about what he does. He’s no longer the youngest guy and no longer the lowest rank. He’s gained some confidence over the past three years but I’m proud to say he’s not a cocky firefighter either. Which is good, I suppose. Of course, he doesn’t look any older. But that’s okay. I like the baby-face.

Most awesome is the fact that BigBrother has grown up around fire trucks. On evenings that I knew he needed to just run off some energy, I would pack him up and take him down to the Fire Station and visit FireDad. He would run around, make “woo-woo” sounds and just generally wear himself out. He can tell you all about what firefighters do, down to using a hose and helping one another. I’m curious to see whether or not LittleBrother will show the same interest in fire trucks.

But I’m told it runs in the blood. Generation after generation.

All that said, the past three years have been amazing for us in many different ways. I’m proud of FireDad and the risk he takes to provide for our family. I mean, sure, it would be nice if he didn’t have to run into burning buildings but, I’m sure if you asked him if he’d rather do something safer, well, he’d ask you what fun would he have. And so, I’ll keep the scanner turned down at night.

And say a prayer over him each time he leaves the house.