THE FIREMAN
by: Linda Ellis (c) 1998

My little girl looked startled

as a fire engine passed in haste,

and from my rear-view mirror,

I saw the expression on her face.

Her eyes were opened wide

filled with curiosity and fear.....

She said, "mommy, what is that big truck

with the loud noise that I hear?"

I explained that the "truck" carried

men and women who’s only aim

was to help someone in danger

though they may not know his name.

She said, "mommy, aren’t those the ones

who wear the shiny hats?"

And I said, "yes honey, that’s right....

but it means much more than that."

Those people are trained and dedicated

and many times have shown....

that to save the life of someone else,

they’ll often risk their own.

Then my other child joined in

with a bright inquisitive stare.

"If the people they help are strangers,

then what would make them care?"

Her question made me stop and think,

what are the rewards of being "brave?"

Is it the smiles on the faces

of the children they may save?

Or the beholden expression of a man

standing beside his wife

watching firefighters battling to save

the house he’d worked for all his life?

Or pulling someone out

of a burning house or car?

There’s a memory like that for them

behind every burn or scar.

The word "courage" is described as:

the strength to withstand fear

and firefighters use that courage

many times in their career.

So, to answer her question honestly

and explain why they’re so "daring,"

I said...."they’re very special people

with an uncommon sense of caring."

Linda Ellis

Linda’s Lyrics