We went to visit dad at the Firehouse 2 days before he retired. He's had 26 years with the San Rafael Fire Department and it was bitter sweet for him no doubt.
I know he will miss his buddies more than anything. They are a brotherhood that understands one another and what they go though like no one else does. They see tragedies and deal with awful things together. They are each other's therapy and confidants.
The last fire fighter dad hired was a guy from Central America named Angel. When he was coming over the U.S. border to try to make a better life for himself, some Mexicans stopped the bus he was on and demanded he give them his money. He told them he didn't have any and they didn't believe him and they stole everything they wanted from him, including his favorite green towel.
Dad never forgot that story and bought another green towel for Angel and had my mom sew their fire department patch on it with Angel's name and wings. That is an example of my dad's (and mom's!) generous heart and thoughtfulness.
(A cool part of the story is that Angel really did have $200 that he hid in his soap bar! He had carved a hole in the soap and put the money in there, then covered it with more soap. And they didn't steal it!)
It will be weird for us all not to visit dad at the firehouse anymore. We're so proud of you, Dad, for a wonderful career and for being such an awesome provider! Now get some sleep!
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