My Bravery

"Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen (Curchill,Winston)."

My dad is a firefighter. I had to be brave when I was about 8 years old when the Bosque caught fire. He had to go and help even though he wasn't on duty and it was a risk that could have taken his life. My little sister had just been born too. I had to be brave, which I thought in my mind, because my mom was scared too. Well he had to go risk his life and that means that he has to have a lot of courage to face that kind of situation! This fact is what made me feel like I could be brave too.

I was just re-living this memory because yesterday, 04/05/10, the Bosque was set ablaze again! This time my dad was on duty and at the fire station on Griegos. He was really close to where the fire was and I still don't know if he was sent over there to help put it out. I just remember looking out to the city and watching as the smoke rose higher and higher. The only thought going through my mind is if my dad was ok. I got a horrible feeling in my stomach because I was worrying so much. Then school ended and I looked out on the city and the smoke was spread out further and bigger. My stomach dropped at that point.

I knew I had to brave when I got home because of my younger sisters. Their 6 and 4 years old and I didn't want them worrying about our dad at work. It should just be a job not a burden. My mom had to go to school so I was watching them both for the night. They wanted me to take them closer to see the fire but I didn't want to put any thoughts into their heads about something going wrong. I just told them that dad would be home in the morning just like he always is. I also said that nothing bad was going to happen to anyone, that the fire was going to be taken care of and everyone would be safe.

I had those thoughts of "What If" in my head all night long. I was stressing so much about the whole ordeal that I was exhausted and I fell asleep easily (surprisingly). I also successfully completed my task. My task was to keep my sisters clueless of any thoughts that would make them worry. I am glad that they got a good night's sleep too. My head was very worry free. Now the morning has come and gone, and my dad is at home where he is supposed to be. My little sisters have no idea what he went through, as far as fighting the fire. All my worries are gone because my dad is now safe at home. The fire is also being better controlled now too.

All of my family worries are gone and I don't have to be brave anymore for my sisters because there is no reason to be. I know this is not your typical act of bravery in terms of external, "dragon slaying", bravery. This was more of an internal act for me. I had to be mentally brave to face what most people would never have to. I know that my dad was brave because that is a courageous thing to do. To go and risk your life to save others, even strangers. I think this is why I am brave too, because I learned it all from him. I hope that the people he saved are thankful and understand the severity of the situation.

"Firemen never die, they just burn forever in the hearts of the people whose lives they saved (Murphree,Susan)."