I saw a ton of fussing about firefighters being on shift. Many were young gals, some were not. Holidays are a crappy part of the job...unless you like getting out of family drama, then I guess it is a perk. But, it comes with the bunker gear. You know it is coming as soon as your shift is assigned. We find that we plan months in advance for holidays and birthdays, for school functions and summer barbeques. Planning comes with the world as well.
I don't like it anymore than anyone else. But it is indeed part of life. We know that.
Plan B included a trip to the dollar store for hats and noise makers and a trip to the grocery store for chips and Sunny D. We busted out the Wii Motes, wore our goofy hats and bugged the dogs with our noisemakers. We had a toast with "kid wine" that made my girls giggle from the carbonation in the apple juice and enjoyed using real wine glasses. My boys made it until well after midnight and loved watching the ball drop. D melted down and turned into pumpkin mush at 9am.
It was fun.
And it was in the middle of a 48.
When your firefighter has to work on a holiday, it does have an impact on those left at home. But, it is totally up to us how we care to deal with that. You can sit at home a feel bad or you can go out and enjoy your friends and family. I would LOVE a GNO. NYE would be a perfect excuse. If we didn't all have kids...
So for 2013, decide on what your goals are. If you are having a hard time with the fire life, join the auxiliary, make friends with other fire wives - both in the department and out. We get this world. Be sure you are also still supportive of your FF. Remember, the FFs would more than likely rather be at home with their families or out with their friends, as well. Own this crazy life and make it you own. It can be constricting if you let it. Don't let it. Instead use the time to make memories.
If you did not get to kiss your FF at the strike of 12, be sure there is a New Year's kiss after naptime is over. Hug your kids and remind them that the New Year is a new start for everyone. Make 2013 the best yet.
GO BADGERS!!!
Not a fire wife, so I lurk but don't say much here. But as a "consumer" (?) may I say how grateful I am for our EMS and their families. Knock on wood, we haven't called on an actual holiday, but in the very wee hours of the morning the day after Thanksgiving 2010, our son was in severe respiratory distress. It was bad enough that rather than racing the 45 minutes to the hospital, the paramedics called LifeFlight to our home and landed next door. I know it was cold (-3) and way too early to be out of bed, but those men saved my baby's life. So thank you, to your FF but also to you and your muppets. I know you'd go through the same.
ReplyDeleteHi Rebekah. Thank you so much for your sweet words. That would have been horribly scary to go through. Holy Cow! Those are the calls they would bend over backwards for. I hope all turned out well.
DeleteThank you for commenting. I always wonder if there is someone else on the other side or if the hits are just Google image searches. Lol. Comment away, my friend.
Happy New Year.
Thanks Trina. Actually, it turned out really well, although before it was over I think we had every one of our people in our living room, including the chief who wasn't even on call (but lives in town). He is doing better all the time. We only called 911 once in 2012 instead of 6 times in 2011, and 5 in the last half of 2010. Our goal this year is not need them at all!
DeleteI really enjoy your blog, and yeah, I'm definitely one of those anonymous hits. You're welcome to follow my little guy on his journey if you'd like. I'm at http://CompatibleWithJoy-Trisomy18.blogspot.com. Happy New Year to you and yours.
Your family is beautiful! Thank you for sharing your blog with me! We have a neighbor who has Trisonmy-18 as well, hence the reason why we stayed home from the NYE party. He is 12 and in middle school this year, ery exciting. His dad and aunt and uncle have even been able to get him to our house for a couple of hours - amazing considering it is a 30 minute drive.
DeleteI look forward to getting to know your story!
Amen, sister!
ReplyDelete