Chasing flames and saving lives is a firefighters thrill;
And I’ll do this job, the best I can, with the Lords grace and will.
But even though I love the flames, the excitement, and the roar;
There’s someone waiting back home for me, that I love even more.
My best friend, my soul mate, she is the love of my life.
I am so very grateful that she is my wife.
She understands the job I do, but how she hates it so.
I hear her cries, and see her tears, each time I have to go.
As I race to the fire, to battle the beast, I wonder how she is;
And pray to God, to let me return, to feel her tender kiss.
I know she won’t sleep, with her heart filled with strife,
She knows why I must leave her, to go and risk my life.
She would only have to say the word and I would walk away;
And never fight another fire, or keep the beast at bay.
But I know that’s something she’ll never do, she loves the man I am.
She’s proud of me for the lives I save and for my helping hand.
Though someday soon, the Lord may say, this job will take my life;
And I must leave this happiness, of my family and my wife.
Deep down inside I truly doubt that she would change a thing,
As long as we’re together and wearing her fireman’s wedding ring.
–Author Unknown
I posted this poem because I like how it showed the other side and that they do know how we feel and how those of us true wive’s would never truly want them to walk away. If my husband walked away because he felt I couldn’t handle it anymore, I would feel like a failure. I would know that he quit something that he was called to do and that many people’s lives would be the worse for that decision.
I have never cried as he’s left and I never will. I may cry when he gets home and that is ok. Some days the relief of him getting home after a shift that I know was bad is a lot for a woman to bear. We’re hormonal and no matter what I do to fight that I never will be able to. lol
October 14th, 2009 at 11:11 am
I admire the wives of not only firefighters, but volunteer workers as well, those who risk their lives to save other people’s lives. It takes a lot of guts to hope everyday that your husbands will go home safe..
October 14th, 2009 at 12:39 pm
Thank you Caitlin, how did you come to find my site?
October 16th, 2009 at 5:52 pm
I really feel this line in your post about the poem.
If my husband walked away because he felt I couldn’t handle it anymore, I would feel like a failure.
Amen.
October 16th, 2009 at 6:51 pm
I knew you would feel the same
October 18th, 2009 at 6:39 pm
Again, love your post. If my husband wasn’t a fireman, he would have still ended up in a career where his life was on the line (military, FBI, secret service agent) for the sake of saving someone elses.
October 18th, 2009 at 7:00 pm
Welcome to my blog Kristia, glad you found me and thank you for commenting!
October 31st, 2009 at 1:40 pm
This one always tugs at my heart! Ooof!
January 22nd, 2010 at 4:06 pm
I am not only a firefighters gurl but also on my self…by having read this it just make me think even more how much it means to him that im not at home but by his side…I know his pain and have also been almost dead…Thank you for posting this and opening my eyes even more.
February 26th, 2010 at 9:45 am
My girlfriend hates that im a firefighter. She loses sleep over it and is generally depressed. She wants me to quit or she says it will kill her. I love her very much, but i feel a need to continue my career. I don’t ever want to leave her or have her get physically ill but i need her to support me. What do i do?
February 26th, 2010 at 10:26 am
Sorry Aaron that you aren’t supported. As I’m not a professional and definitely don’t have both sides of the story to be able to help, I can only offer a bit of my personal take.
If my husband ever voluntarily quit being a firefighter then he wouldn’t be the man I love. I never wanted to change the strong, compassionate man he’s always been and what I’m sure brought me to love him 20 years ago. Yes, many things drive me crazy. But I’m not ignorant to the fact that he has to put up with my issues and work as well. lol
March 5th, 2010 at 11:58 am
Hey Aaron listen take her out to a fancy dinner and sit down and tell her how you feel about everything…most of the time that makes it better and makes them think about it…tell her how you fell about being a firefighter…
March 5th, 2010 at 12:48 pm
Thanks for helping by commenting Emily. Talking about it is always a good solution and making the conversation about how “I” feel so no one feels threatened at all.
March 5th, 2010 at 12:51 pm
yea i know….I mean im only here to help anyone who needs it…ive been through alot and know alot…i dont want anyone to go through whai have been…by the way your welcome