something to live by:

[towersrock]

A man came home from work late, tired and irritated, to find his 5-year old son waiting for him at the door.

SON : "Daddy, may I ask you a question?"

DAD: "Yeah sure, what is it?"

SON : "Daddy, how much do you make an hour?"

DAD: "That's none of your business. Why do you ask
such a thing?"

SON : "I just want to know. Please tell me, how much
do you make an hour?"

DAD: "If you must know, I make $100 an hour."

SON : "Oh! (with his head down).

SON : "Daddy, may I please borrow $50?"
The father was furious.

DAD: "If the only reason you asked that is so you can borrow some money to buy a silly toy or some other nonsense, then! You march yourself straight to your room and go to bed. Think about why you are being so selfish. I work hard everyday for such this childish behavior."

The little boy quietly went to his room and shut the door. The man sat down and started to get even angrier about the little boy's questions. How dare he ask such questions only to get some money?

After about an hour or so, the man had calmed down, and started to think: Maybe there was something he really needed to buy with that $ 50 and he really didn't ask for money very often. The man went to the door of the little boy's room and opened the door.

DAD: "Are you asleep, son?"

SON : "No daddy, I'm awake".

DAD : "I've been thinking, maybe I was too hard on you earlier. It's been a long day and I took out my aggravation on you. Here's the $50 you asked for."

The little boy sat straight up, smiling.

SON : "Oh, thank you daddy! "

Then, reaching under his pillow he pulled out some crumpled up bills. The man saw that the boy already had money, started to get angry again. The little boy slowly counted out his money, and then looked up at his father.

DAD: "Why do you want more money if you already have some?"

SON : "Because I didn't have enough, but now I do.

"Daddy, I have $100 now. Can I buy an hour of your time?

Please come home early tomorrow. I would like to have dinner with you."

The father was crushed. He put his arms around his little son, and he begged for his forgiveness.

It's just a short reminder to all of you working so hard in life. We should not let time slip through our fingers without having spent some time with those who really matter to us, those close to our hearts.

Remember to share at least $100 worth of your time with someone you love?

If we die tomorrow, the company we work for could easily replace us in a matter of days.

But the family and friends we leave behind will feel the
loss for the rest of their lives. And come to think of it, we pour
ourselves more into work than to our family.

[SapphyreBlues]

Awwwwww.... I like that. makes you put things into perspective.

[firecat1]

Sad but beautiful. Wish it could go out world-wide but...not going to happen.

[MalahatTwo7]

Its been posted here once or twice before, and I also recognize it as a commercial from the Latter Day Saints. Not that any of that matters, because it still has the same pull at the heart strings.

[fireman4949]

An hour not spent with your kids, is an hour you can never spend with your kids!

As a wise Priest once told me...Of all the people he has comforted near their hour of their death, not one has ever said they wished they had spent more time at work!

Family first! Everything else is second!




Kevin :D

[baileydonk]

Now that I have this little guy around, everything else has indeed fallen into perspective. He's two and a half months now, and although he is in daycare during the weekdays, he's got every minute I can give him from when I get off work until I have to get back to work... he came along to help teach the local EMT class lab on Saturday - I should have gotten pictures of the students practicing taking his pulse. :)

[firecat1]

Such a beautiful baby!!! :)

[MalahatTwo7]

WAY TA GO MOM... missed a PERFECT photo op! heheeheee But there will be more, so keep that camera handy with lots of spare batteries. :D I love my digital camera - 2gb card in it, dont miss much now, except when I foget it at home.

[baileydonk]

Oh, yeah - Love the digital camera. Now I can spam all my friends with "Look at my online photo album" emails every week. Of course, I think he's the most photogenic thing that has ever existed... and so's his big brother... I love this picture where Alex is all "Mom! Get that camera out of my face and let me sleep!" :) :)

[WaterbryVTfire]

Its also the basis of a country music song...(in the video one of the dads is a firefighter...{Nashville I think...}

The Dollar--Jamey Johnson

Daddy hugs his little man
says son I’ve got to go
and he pulls out of the drive and disappears
as they walk back in the house
the young boy asks his mama
where does daddy go when he leaves here

mama tells her little man
your daddy’s got a job
and when he goes to work they pay him for his time
well the young boy gets to thinking
and he heads up to his bedroom
and comes running back with a quarter and four dimes

(chorus:)
and says mama how much time will this buy me
is it enough to take me fishing or throw a football in the street
if I’m a little short then how much more does daddy need
to spend some time with me

the young boy tells his mama
now I know daddy’s busy
cause most times when he gets home it’s dark outside
but tell him I’ve got me some pennies
saved up from the tooth fairy
and I keep ‘em in my piggy bank and I believe there’s thirty-five

(chorus:)
and mama how much time will that buy me
is it enough to take me camping in a tent down by the creek
if I’m a little short then how much more does daddy need
to spend some time with me

mama how much time will this buy me
is it enough for just an afternoon a day or a whole week
if I’m a little short then how much more does daddy need
to spend some time with me

mama takes her little man
sets him on her lap
and starts dialing up some numbers on the phone
she says daddy come home early
you don’t have to chase that dollar
cause your little man has got one here at home

[GeorgeWendtCFI]

Alot of you talk (boast) about missing birthdays, holidays, etc. to attend calls. I know a guy who ran out on Christmas morning with his kids to put out a trash can fire. Makes alot of sense to me.

You only get one shot at that little league game or school play or dance recital.

Screw the call. Stay home with your kids. Your family is way more important than anything.

(Written from the perspective of personal experience).

[baileydonk]

I'm on maternity leave from the volunteer department, and figured I'd be going back in a few months...

But as time goes by I am feeling more and more that I won't be returning to active duty. It's hard to think about, since the fire department has been such a part of my life for close to five years. For two and a half months, I've been taking my little one to fire drill each week (okay, most weeks...), to attend the classroom portion of the training and then we've been the official photographers of the hands-on training - little guy strapped to my chest in his sling, usually sound asleep. Since he's at day care while I'm at my day job, I just don't want to leave him at home, although his dad is perfectly capable and willing to care for him at any time. I've turned into a mom, like magic, somehow... go figure.

So anyway, I think it's time for me to officially turn in my gear and pager, and become the one and only member of the auxilliary for our department - I'd gladly help with fund raising, and tag along to photograph what I can. I'd like my son to be exposed to the fire department and what it stands for and what the members do, and of course some of the members have become good friends of mine on a social level. It's strange to think of suddenly not being a firefighter though.

I've always been of the opinion that firefighting isn't a hobby that you can do from time to time... when I was doing it, I put my all into training at every opportunity. I guess I'm an "all or nothing" personality.

Since volunteering has always been an important part of my life, I'm thinking of hooking up with the local Red Cross to see how I can help - If I do that, my past firefighting colleagues will see me when I show up to give them burgers and coffee, at least. :)

Sorry, just kind of venting, I guess.

[fireman4949]

I'm on maternity leave from the volunteer department, and figured I'd be going back in a few months...

But as time goes by I am feeling more and more that I won't be returning to active duty...

I've always been of the opinion that firefighting isn't a hobby that you can do from time to time... when I was doing it, I put my all into training at every opportunity. I guess I'm an "all or nothing" personality.

There is no more meaningful, important or rewarding career than parenting!

The fire dept. will always be there. You can help out the dept. when you can...and if you feel you can. Your first priority has to be to your family.

As your kids grow, you may find that you have more time available to go on calls, but that is the future. Right now, you must do what you feel is right for today.
I commend you for being a dedicated, loving mom! :D

Remember, once a firefighter, always a firefighter! That doesn't mean you're not allowed to take a leave every now and then. ;)




Kevin :D

[ndvfdff33]

Alot of you talk (boast) about missing birthdays, holidays, etc. to attend calls. I know a guy who ran out on Christmas morning with his kids to put out a trash can fire. Makes alot of sense to me.

You only get one shot at that little league game or school play or dance recital.

Screw the call. Stay home with your kids. Your family is way more important than anything.

(Written from the perspective of personal experience).

Well said man. My little fella is number one on the priority list now he's here.

[GeorgeWendtCFI]

There is no more meaningful, important or rewarding career than parenting!

The fire dept. will always be there. You can help out the dept. when you can...and if you feel you can. Your first priority has to be to your family.

As your kids grow, you may find that you have more time available to go on calls, but that is the future. Right now, you must do what you feel is right for today.
I commend you for being a dedicated, loving mom! :D

Remember, once a firefighter, always a firefighter! That doesn't mean you're not allowed to take a leave every now and then. ;)

Kevin :D

Couldn't someone be a loving, dedicated Dad?

(Not to diminish the importance of the message)

[baileydonk]

Couldn't someone be a loving, dedicated Dad?

(Not to diminish the importance of the message)

Well, *I* couldn't!

:)

[fireman4949]

Couldn't someone be a loving, dedicated Dad?

(Not to diminish the importance of the message)

I would most certainly hope so, however my post was in direct response to baileydonk's. :D

[GeorgeWendtCFI]

I would most certainly hope so, however my post was in direct response to baileydonk's. :D

I know that. It was an open question. I wanted to see if there was a double standard in people's eyes in the way we view a mother who makes a decision to put aside fire fighting for her child and a Dad who makes the same decision.

[fireman4949]

I know that. It was an open question. I wanted to see if there was a double standard in people's eyes in the way we view a mother who makes a decision to put aside fire fighting for her child and a Dad who makes the same decision.

Gotcha. :)

I don't have any qualms about anyone making a sacrifice for family...Man, or woman.

When my first daughter was born, I scaled back my side business to the point of working it only a few days per month so that I could spend more time being Daddy.
My wife and I work our schedules so that we rarely need anyone to watch our kids. We don't get (my wife and I) to spend nearly as much time together as we would like, but one or the other of us is almost always with the kids.
If push came to shove, and one of us had to quit our job to care to care for them, it would probably have to be me. My wife makes considerably more money than I do and the bills don't stop. I would be devastated if I had to quit being a firefighter, but I would be even more upset if my girls needed me, and I wasn't there for them.
I love my job, but I love my family even more! :D

[baileydonk]

I know that. It was an open question. I wanted to see if there was a double standard in people's eyes in the way we view a mother who makes a decision to put aside fire fighting for her child and a Dad who makes the same decision.

Well that's a double-standard that's rampant everywhere still, I believe. In his previous marriage, my husband was the one who stayed home when their son was born - he took care of his first son from three weeks old to five years old, while his ex-wife worked. He got so much sh!t about it from so many different angles... From the moms of kids at events who treated him like he couldn't possibly know how to properly take care of his child, and from the people who treated him like he was a lazy moocher for not having a full-time job. This time, we're both working - me full-time, him part-time and going to school for his MBA. Still people look all surprised if he changes a diaper, act like he might not know how (it's not rocket science, people), and make a big deal about it if I leave the baby with him for a couple of hours. Fathers are definitely expected to work and provide money for their kids, but it seems like most people don't expect them to do much else with them... at least not until they're older.

My little Alex is lucky - it could almost be said that he has two fathers and two mothers, since his two parents each playing both roles at different times. He will get to see the full range of what men and women can do - from firefighting to cooking to sewing (his dad's pretty good at that) to remodeling the house...

At this point, he just doesn't understand why his daddy's nipples are broken. :)

[MalahatTwo7]

At this point, he just doesn't understand why his daddy's nipples are broken.

HAHAHAHHAAAAHAHAAHAAAA :D:D:D

[GeorgeWendtCFI]

Well that's a double-standard that's rampant everywhere still, I believe. In his previous marriage, my husband was the one who stayed home when their son was born - he took care of his first son from three weeks old to five years old, while his ex-wife worked. He got so much sh!t about it from so many different angles... From the moms of kids at events who treated him like he couldn't possibly know how to properly take care of his child, and from the people who treated him like he was a lazy moocher for not having a full-time job. This time, we're both working - me full-time, him part-time and going to school for his MBA. Still people look all surprised if he changes a diaper, act like he might not know how (it's not rocket science, people), and make a big deal about it if I leave the baby with him for a couple of hours. Fathers are definitely expected to work and provide money for their kids, but it seems like most people don't expect them to do much else with them... at least not until they're older.

My little Alex is lucky - it could almost be said that he has two fathers and two mothers, since his two parents each playing both roles at different times. He will get to see the full range of what men and women can do - from firefighting to cooking to sewing (his dad's pretty good at that) to remodeling the house...

At this point, he just doesn't understand why his daddy's nipples are broken. :)

You forgot about the secretarys at the school office who treat men picking up their children as if they are abducting them.

[MalahatTwo7]

TIME GETS BETTER WITH AGE

I learned that I like my teacher because she cries when we sing "Silent Night".

Age 5

I learned that our dog doesn't want to eat my broccoli either.

Age 7

I learned that when I wave to people in the country, they stop what they are doing and wave back.

Age 9

I learned that just when I get my room the way I like it, Mom makes me clean it up again.

Age 12

I learned that if you want to cheer yourself up, you should try cheering someone else up.

Age 14

I learned that although it's hard to admit it, I'm secretly glad my parents are strict with me.

Age 15

I learned that silent company is often more healing than words of advice.

Age 24

I learned that brushing my child's hair is one of life's great pleasures.

Age 26

I learned that wherever I go, the world's worst drivers have followed me there. {NO KIDDING LOL}

Age 29

I learned that if someone says something unkind about me, I must live so that no one will believe it.

Age 30

I learned that there are people who love you dearly but just don't know how to show it.

Age 42

I learned that you can make some one's day by simply sending them a little note.

Age 44

I learned that the greater a person's sense of guilt, the greater his or her need to cast blame on others.

Age 46

I learned that children and grandparents are natural allies.

Age 47

I learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow.

Age 48

I learned that singing "Amazing Grace" can lift my spirits for hours.

Age 49

I learned that motel mattresses are better on the side away from the phone.

Age 50

I learned that you can tell a lot about a man by the way he handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights.

Age 51

I learned that keeping a vegetable garden is worth a medicine cabinet full of pills.

Age 52

I learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you miss them terribly after they die.

Age 53

I learned that making a living is not the same thing as making a life.

Age 58

I learned that if you want to do something positive for your children, work to improve your marriage.

Age 61

I learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance.

Age 62

I learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catchers mitt on both hands.

You need to be able to throw something back.

Age 64

I learned that if you pursue happiness, it will elude you.

But if you focus on your family, the needs of others, your work, meeting new people, and doing the very best you can, happiness will find you.

Age 65

I learned that whenever I decide something with kindness, I usually make the right decision.

Age 66

I learned that everyone can use a prayer.

Age 72

I learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one.

Age 82

I learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone. People love that human touch-holding hands, a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back.

Age 90

I learned that I still have a lot to learn.

Age 92

I learned that you should pass this on to someone you care about. Sometimes they just need a little something to make them smile and reflect .

[firecat1]

I learned that you should pass this on to someone you care about. Sometimes they just need a little something to make them smile and reflect .

Smiling and reflecting.:)

[frenchfireball]

TIME GETS BETTER WITH AGE

I learned that I like my teacher because she cries when we sing "Silent Night".

Age 5

I learned that our dog doesn't want to eat my broccoli either.

Age 7

I learned that when I wave to people in the country, they stop what they are doing and wave back.

Age 9

I learned that just when I get my room the way I like it, Mom makes me clean it up again.

Age 12

I learned that if you want to cheer yourself up, you should try cheering someone else up.

Age 14

I learned that although it's hard to admit it, I'm secretly glad my parents are strict with me.

Age 15

I learned that silent company is often more healing than words of advice.

Age 24

I learned that brushing my child's hair is one of life's great pleasures.

Age 26

I learned that wherever I go, the world's worst drivers have followed me there. {NO KIDDING LOL}

Age 29

I learned that if someone says something unkind about me, I must live so that no one will believe it.

Age 30

I learned that there are people who love you dearly but just don't know how to show it.

Age 42

I learned that you can make some one's day by simply sending them a little note.

Age 44

I learned that the greater a person's sense of guilt, the greater his or her need to cast blame on others.

Age 46

I learned that children and grandparents are natural allies.

Age 47

I learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow.

Age 48

I learned that singing "Amazing Grace" can lift my spirits for hours.

Age 49

I learned that motel mattresses are better on the side away from the phone.

Age 50

I learned that you can tell a lot about a man by the way he handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights.

Age 51

I learned that keeping a vegetable garden is worth a medicine cabinet full of pills.

Age 52

I learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you miss them terribly after they die.

Age 53

I learned that making a living is not the same thing as making a life.

Age 58

I learned that if you want to do something positive for your children, work to improve your marriage.

Age 61

I learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance.

Age 62

I learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catchers mitt on both hands.

You need to be able to throw something back.

Age 64

I learned that if you pursue happiness, it will elude you.

But if you focus on your family, the needs of others, your work, meeting new people, and doing the very best you can, happiness will find you.

Age 65

I learned that whenever I decide something with kindness, I usually make the right decision.

Age 66

I learned that everyone can use a prayer.

Age 72

I learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one.

Age 82

I learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone. People love that human touch-holding hands, a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back.

Age 90

I learned that I still have a lot to learn.

Age 92

I learned that you should pass this on to someone you care about. Sometimes they just need a little something to make them smile and reflect .

very nice,thanks for sharing.

[MalahatTwo7]

Accoridng to this list I must be at least 65, because I have most certainly learned that one, if not a few of the others as well.

[firecat1]

Accoridng to this list I must be at least 65, because I have most certainly learned that one, if not a few of the others as well.

If it makes you 65...wonder what it makes me? :p

[MalahatTwo7]

If it makes you 65...wonder what it makes me? :p

29 and holding? ;) :p

[doughesson]

With songs like this(and it just finished on Yahoo's radio),George Jones doesn't need to worry about "Who's gonna fill their shoes?"

Its also the basis of a country music song...(in the video one of the dads is a firefighter...{Nashville I think...}

The Dollar--Jamey Johnson

Daddy hugs his little man
says son I’ve got to go
and he pulls out of the drive and disappears
as they walk back in the house
the young boy asks his mama
where does daddy go when he leaves here

mama tells her little man
your daddy’s got a job
and when he goes to work they pay him for his time
well the young boy gets to thinking
and he heads up to his bedroom
and comes running back with a quarter and four dimes

(chorus:)
and says mama how much time will this buy me
is it enough to take me fishing or throw a football in the street
if I’m a little short then how much more does daddy need
to spend some time with me

the young boy tells his mama
now I know daddy’s busy
cause most times when he gets home it’s dark outside
but tell him I’ve got me some pennies
saved up from the tooth fairy
and I keep ‘em in my piggy bank and I believe there’s thirty-five

(chorus:)
and mama how much time will that buy me
is it enough to take me camping in a tent down by the creek
if I’m a little short then how much more does daddy need
to spend some time with me

mama how much time will this buy me
is it enough for just an afternoon a day or a whole week
if I’m a little short then how much more does daddy need
to spend some time with me

mama takes her little man
sets him on her lap
and starts dialing up some numbers on the phone
she says daddy come home early
you don’t have to chase that dollar
cause your little man has got one here at home