I love to fight fire. Yesterday, as OFD and TFD fought a large pole barn fire, I stopped--for a split second, and realized how powerful and dangerous fire is. This may sound strange coming from a firefighter, since we live for the chance to fight fire, but these flames were big. I couldn't help but think about the owner's loss. In the pole barn were the owners belongings from years of life. I kept thinking, how would I react to the loss of everything? Then my "chaplain voice" was saying, what can I do or say to this person to help comfort him? Lastly, I simply told the owner that I was sorry for his loss and let him do the rest of the talking. I think in a very minute way, that by "being there" for people who have suffered a great loss--whether physical or material, it brings a personal touch to the fire service. There wasn't anything I could say that would reverse the fire's destruction; there wasn't anything I could say to make him feel better. It's hard for me to feel comfortable at the end of my fire ground duties, or witnessing any great personal loss because I always want to do more; however, I believe I'm learning by just "being there" I have done all I can. In the Christian realm, we would call this the "ministry of presence." Some people just need someone to talk to--with little or no replies. When there isn't anything you or I can say to someone, saying nothing, coupled with our presence, says multitudes to those who just lost something, somebody, or everything. By "being there" we are saying that although we don't fully understand how they feel, we care. Life is filled with great rewards and great losses; the question is, are you willing to "be there" for someone at the next great loss you encounter?
