A word on our city's firefighters.
My son and I were approaching the Civic Centre on Saturday, to visit the Mennonite Fall Fair. As we neared, we heard the fire alarms and saw people gathering outside.
Turns out, it was a false alarm, but the fire department responded with lights and sirens, just in case. My son, being a typical (near) two year old, saw the fire engines and insisted we go for a closer look. We kept our distance, out of respect for the individuals inside the truck with a job to do, but when the driver of the engine looked over, I suggested to my son that he give him a wave, let him know how cool we think his job is.
If memory serves me correctly, I believe it was engine #11. We had no expectations for him to return the gesture, but he did. And then some. He reciprocated with such enthusiasm, that his one simple wave from the front of a real fire truck would have made our whole day. When the gracious men in the back of the truck opened the door and asked if my son wanted to check out the truck, you could have knocked me over with a feather.
My son was allowed to sit inside the fire truck, wear a headset and talk to the driver. He was pretty awed by it all, mind you, and didn't say much, but what a thrill it was for him (and me too). The best part of all was how we were never made to feel like a burden or inconvenience. These men were genuinely happy to be able to share this experience with my son.
In the age we live in, filled with so much bureaucracy, selfishness, and egotism, for a group of men to be so open and kind to a complete stranger and his little man, it's something that we will never forget. It was only a few minutes out of their day, but created for me, and my son, a memory that will stay with us. To those men, I didn't catch your names, but you know who you are, you were wonderful ambassadors for your profession that day, and you have our heartfelt thanks.
Andrew Smith and son Raen
Prince George
