Monday, September 12, 2005

Ain't Life Grand?

The pizza place across the street was on fire this morning. We stood around watching from our office windows. It seems so different to see in person than on the news. There were no flames visible, but plenty of smoke. There were firemen walking around on the roof! It reminded me that theirs is no ordinary job. It’s dangerous, that is obvious. And they do that all the time. The fire this morning was small, relatively. But to see these people go toward danger makes you think about sacrifice, duty, and the preciousness of life.

September 11th was yesterday. Hundreds of firefighters died, not to mention thousands of others. I can’t imagine what it is like to put yourself in harm’s way as a matter of course for a job. I’m grateful for those that do, for their sacrifice allows us all to benefit from a sense of safety.

Communities do not thrive when we all go into our homes and shut the door to the outside world. Life doesn't work that way. We are not islands, we need each other.

Take care of your family and friends, reach out to your neighbor, be grateful for life. It is a gift to be alive.

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