Precious moment: Visiting your everyday heroes next door

A precious moment with the stars and stripes, Port Washington Fire Department, Long Island, NY.

I am trying to get through emails, get the baby fed, listen for Emory’s coos upstairs, and act on an inspiration I had yesterday for a market share analysis. It’s a rainy Sunday morning, Ben is on call and off to round at the hospital. Jack had a purposeful 30 seconds outside to pee. Poor guy, bit of a 5th wheel these days. I’m worried about Arlyn’s overnights — we’re into a bad habit of fussing for a pacifier every couple of hours, and it’s easy to jump up and accommodate. What to do about that? Lovely play date with the mamas and twos yesterday. Bridesmaids (the movie) and laundry last night for a raucous Saturday evening. We heard the church bells and fire alarm at 6 pm at Emory’s dinner. Pretty standard fare for a winter weekend around Port.

I tried to decide what image I should include as my feature on this entry…. there were so many good ones from my photo shoot yesterday at the Port Washington Fire Department, whom we can see from our dining room window. I truly didn’t appreciate just how cool it would be to live next to the firehouse with kids, and encourage all to pay a visit to your everyday heroes next door in your community. They adore the curious acquiring visitors and the company. You’ll likely make off with a stack of bright red Chief’s hats. And Vincent, Pat, Kenny, Brittany, are so generous to open the garage doors especially for us. Vincent took a break from washing his Jeep so that all 4 of us (Jack, Em, Arlyn, mom) could go poke around, see the big flags on the back of the trucks, hop into the cab, touch the jackets and boots. Who knew American flags would be such a huge hit? Big flags. The bigger the better. We “swwoooooosssshhh” with our arms as we see them wave in the wind in the morning from the bedroom. We recognize the stars and stripes everywhere, to include on yoghurt containers. I love that part about having the girls and learning the world all over again with them.

Watching the wonder in my girls’ eyes. Hearing a two year old distinguish between an engine and ladder truck. The firehouse is filled with moments we live for.