Fire trucks and boys. What could be better? It is weird how little boys and perhaps grown men gravitate towards them.  I watch RESCUE ME to fulfill my fire truck appetite. As a boy I wanted to ride on one so badly. I would beg my parents to take me to the local fire station but it didn’t happen for me until I was in first grade and the Easter Bunny visited school on a fire truck. I got onboard and I swear it was like heaven on earth for a few fleeting seconds. I even wore a fire hat that day and I remember the Easter Bunny smiling at me - as if to say, I’m with you brother - that’s why I took this job. 

There is nothing funny or lighthearted about being a fire fighter, however. That job is way dangerous and the men and women who do it are flat out heros. I respect them and what they have done. 911 aside, they have made remarkable attempts to save life and we often do not recognize their efforts enough. 

Back on track:

Recently I took Jacob to a local toddler museum in northern New Jersey. My mother was the one who prompted the visit. She came along and told me that Jacob would really “remember” this trip. I had no idea why, but I humored her. She’s my mother and Jacob’s grandmother and I have learned that whatever she says goes. Call it being smart on my part. The same is true for my mother-in-law, Jacob’s other grandma. Whatever she says goes, too. It’s the best way to survive. Of course, Bridget is the only one who has the power to override whatever my mother or mother-in-law says. Don’t tell her I said that. Okay?

So we entered the museum and Jacob was ready to explore. There were dinosaurs, trains, helicopters, cars, horses, all kinds of animals, space shuttles, bull dozers, etc. After some smiles and laughs we came across the fire truck. Jacob quivered with excitement. His face lit up. He shouted, “Look daddy, a fire truck!” I helped him up and he sat alone in the chair as I snapped this picture.

I think his face says it all. Little boys love their fire trucks. What a great day for the warrior.

Resist. Multiply. Remember your childhood.