It's funny how just having them home at night makes everything alright. Sometimes, if Matt is on a fire locally he comes home to sleep. He comes in at 1:00 or 2:00 in the morning sleeps a couple of hours then goes right back out. Sometimes we don't even talk but it is alright because he was home.
When we had just moved to SD, there was a big fire locally. We were staying temporarily at a home in the Black Hills. Matt was working the fire and I got evacuated. It made his job very real to me. Before, I really had no clue about the atmosphere (philosophically speaking). I got to see the fire and the operations up close and personal. Having felt the fear of losing all of our belongings and not having a place to live made me see my husband in a different light. I've always thought of him as a hero. But at that time I knew that he absolutely is a hero. It has made it easier to let him go to fires because I know what the people are feeling that he is going to help. I also realized some of the frustrations he goes through with the people wanting to stay at their homes to protect them. I got to see some of the looky-loos blocking the road making it harder to get the equipment where it needed to be. (I'm embarrassed to say, at one point one of the looky-loos was me). I felt a charge of excitement watching the fire crown at the top of the ridge and start down the hill. I have to say, sometimes I am in awe of my husband and what he does. It amazes me that he acts like it is all old hat, so casual about it.
Thinking of you so close to the fire reminded me of all this. Thank you.
Will keep you, your hubby and your town in my prayers.

Merci