Being the child of a firefighter is a very unique experience. It’s hard to explain to other people who haven’t been through the same thoughts, but the inexplicable feelings are understood without question by those lucky enough to have a fireman or woman for a parent. Being the child of a firefighter allows you an instant induction into a club of children just like you. Children who have the same fears and priorities, children who understand the world in a different way than most. Being the child of a firefighter affects the way you approach everyday situations and it changes the way you look at the world and all the people in it.
Most obviously, I think that being the child of a firefighter (or any first responder for that matter) affects the way we look at family. Our parents and are siblings are not something we take for granted. We all know that gut-wrenching feeling of waking up one morning and realizing that your parent isn’t home yet, and the terrifying moments after where you don’t know if they’ve just overslept at the hall again, or if they may never be coming home at all. It’s a horrific reality that we all have to deal with at some point, and it really makes you appreciate every moment you have with the people you love. Suddenly nagging and slightly stricter than usual rules don’t seem that important when every third day you spend every waking moment praying that your dad gets through that crazy house fire all right or hoping that your mom doesn’t try to be the hero that day and get herself killed in the process. Our parents’ job is to save others, but as their children, we really only pray that they are able to save themselves at the end of the day.
Being the child of a firefighter also offers a different perspective on how we should exist as humans in the world. I’ll be the first to say that of all first responders, firemen and women are the most noble. Their only job is to risk their own lives to save that of another. That’s one hell of a lesson to be taught growing up. Day in and day out, we see our parent’s working harder than anyone else, putting their life on the line for okay pay and a sense of duty to their fellow human beings. People don’t become firefighters for the glory. They don’t do it for the fame or the acclaim they receive every time they save a life. In fact, they get ridiculed and mistreated more than anything. Yet, they still do their jobs, and let me tell you, firefighters are perfectionists. There is no other profession where you will see men and women that work harder or more efficiently. There’s a reason you hardly ever hear of the failures of firefighters—it’s because there aren’t many. The men and women of the fire department take their jobs so seriously, and it’s because they have one of, if not the, most important jobs in the world; to save lives, no matter the cost. This mentality undoubtedly translates to us, their children. As a result of this I hold fast to the belief that the children of firefighters, in general, are more caring, compassionate, and kind to those around them.
To be the child of a firefighter is to go through life perceiving everything slightly skewed. It’s seeing stereotypes that could save your life in a dangerous situation. It is knowing how to identify a type of fire by the color of its smoke or the slight undertones of smell it gives off. It’s being able to function under high levels of stress without batting an eyelash. Its knowing the importance of hard work, even if it comes with no visible reward. It’s valuing family above all else. It’s giving everyone you meet a ridiculous nickname. It’s knowing the importance of things like “be safe” and “I love you.” It’s always expecting a faucet to be loosened or a plastic rat to jump out of a cabinet. Most importantly, its knowing that you are unconditionally loved by one of the world’s heroes.
This is my thank you to every man and woman who has every put their life on the line to save someone that they didn’t know. To every man and woman who risks everything to provide for their families. Especially, this is my thank you to my dad, daddio, NormDadJacob, because without him and his crazy fireman antics, I wouldn’t be half the well-rounded woman I am today. Thank you.
