The Neighbor
They live among us, and work among us. We pass them on the street, and in our local markets and banks. Some may even be our neighbors.
We see them often, without giving them much thought. While most of them
prefer to go about their daily lives without fanfare, when you next see them, please take the time to look at them closely.
Look at their faces. Familiar, kind, smiling faces, that surely mask the burden of memories and responsibilities they shoulder.
Look into their eyes. You will see eyes that are friendly, and filled with a youthful sense of humor. Look deeply enough, and you may glimpse some small evidence of the horrors they have witnessed.
Look at their arms. Arms that are powerful, yet are used to provide comfort and compassion.
Look at their hands. They likely reveal signs of scars and years of hard work, but are capable of tenderness and caring.
Listen to them. You will hear laughing, boisterous voices filled with the joy of life, because they have been exposed to so much loss.
Then, before you turn away, please give them a smile, a wave, or even a handshake, because that is the greatest gift they could ever receive. No words are needed, because they will understand.
Who are these people that I am referring to?
While each individual is one of many, they are all as one, bound together by many years of honor and tradition. They are, by the grace of God and a little luck, America’s Firefighters!
Michael Newberry
