When I woke up this morning the news feed on my ipad was updating about a fire in a Kensington every few minutes. It was 5 alarms. The buildings's wall caved. Firefighters injured. Firefighters perished. There were no names given at first. All I could think is someone, somewhere is getting a horrible phone call. Then I started to worry about families I know. Especially my own. My cousin is a fireman in the neighborhood of the fire. I started to pray and worry about his wife, children, mother, father, and sister. Then I prayed some more.
I jumped on facebook and was looking for information. Then I remembered my son's best friend...his dad is a firefighter and so is his teacher's brother. In the same station...in the same station where the fire fighters who died came from...still no news.
I prayed some more.
Then I thought about a few more families I photograph...the dads are firefighters in the some of the same stations who answered that alarm this morning.
When I finally saw my cousin posted that her brother was safe...I prayed some more. I heard that every fire fighter I knew was safe through out the day today. Still I have this tense feeling in my body. I just feel sad. I know what happened doesn't directly affect me. But I am thankful for those people who make it their business to protect our lives even if it means laying theirs on the line, no questions asked.
Before I fall asleep tonight I will say some more prayers for the families of the injured and lost. I will pray for the firefighters who grieve for their brothers, I will pray for the souls who went to heaven today and I will pray that more people do what they want today, because there are only so many tomorrows.