I ain't luck

So first off, the title. Today is my girlfriend's 19th birthday and I didn't get to see her. So today I am wearing the shirt that she got me for my birthday. Of course its a fire department shirt and its Irish. she knows me well. Anyways; happy birthday honey, I love you. (hopefully you get my card soon)

Anyways


Today we went to the store for lunch and I was standing in line with my 12 hour cough medicine (wasn't all that hungry) and this mom and her son were behind us. The kid probably wasn't more than 7 years old and at the top of his voice he said 'look mom! firemen!' as if we were hiding behind the candy display. (for the record, it takes more than 2 hands to count the number of times I did this as a kid) Everyone in the store wheeled around to look at him and he got all shy, but my lieutenant walked to the back of the line where the boy was and said  'Would you like to see the firetruck?' The mom had this thank you look on her face as the boy all but ran out the door. His mom let us take him outside to the truck and we let him sit in the jump seat. He put on my helmet and put on my headset, asking a million questions. Finally his mom came over from loading her groceries and told him to say thank you which he very politely did and he went on his way.

   First off, I remember being that kid. I knew where every firehouse was in the whole county when I was about 3. I have probably sat in more fire engines than some of the 20-year guys I volunteer with. I knew all the radio codes, (back when we used them) all the unit types, and most importantly, how to make a siren sound. Not some little wee-ooo sound either. Like I would be in the back seat playing with my tiny fire trucks in my car seat and my mom would be pulling over rolling down the windows to look for the engine. (Then get kinda angry that I made her pull over). It just tickled me to death that I met a kid that was just like me as a kid. One day after I become an old salty dog, Ill be telling some rookie not to be so jumpy on calls, or that you don't need to sleep in your uniform; we will get you up (Yes, the first few nights in the firehouse I did this) and for all I know, it will be that kid from today. It just reminded me how far I have come and that I am living the dream, How many people can say that?
  I love my job. People trust us; that mom didn't tell us 'no thanks, not today' or even say 'Ill bring him out in a minute'. She let a group of 4 firemen lead her son out to a big yellow truck in a grocery store parking lot, my lieutenant holding his hand, to show him around. Without a second thought. People like firefighters (they like cops too..just not as much haha). I wouldn't take a 6 figure salary, a fast car and a 5 day work week over that. Not any day.