In the aftermath of the recent and tragic Line of Duty Death of Firefighter/EMT Brice Trossbach, I would like to share with you a heartwarming experience that brought me many smiles, but also more tears.
I have a grandson who is 8 years old and is ALL about the fire department. His Dad is a firefighter, his grandfathers are firefighters, his uncles are firefighters, and his cousins are firefighters. If he becomes a firefighter, he will be the fifth generation to do so in my family. Most likely he will, because he accompanies his dad to his station all of the time. He has his own little set of turnout gear, and he can tell me all about every type of fire apparatus they have in the station. But he is still just a little boy, with a collection of every toy fire truck you can imagine.
So, in the aftermath of our recent tragedy, Mom and Dad explained to him what had happened. Whether he fully comprehends what happened I really don’t know. What I do know is that like always, he accompanied Dad to the station last week, and intently watched what was transpiring as the pall bearers and others practiced their rituals.
He then set up on his own, that young brain working, what you will see in the attached photographs. He told his mom that he would take them down after the funeral was over. Yes, I am prejudiced of course, but what a blessing to have such a thoughtful, loving and caring grandchild. I am also blessed to have such wonderful children to show and teach my grandchildren how to love and show respect for others.
When you look at the pictures, zoom in and look at the details and the positions of the toy firefighters. I won’t say any more.