September 8, 2008

Picking Up Speed ⁸

by Wendy • The Corners of my Life

The fall and winter seasons are usually a pretty busy time for us, October especially.  This year won't be any different.  Actually, it is a bit different because I am super busy this September and usually September is the month that I start preparing for October-December.  September is my prep time and I won't be getting that prep time this year.

I have several teaching gigs coming up.  I love how fire departments like to schedule my line of duty death prep & prevention class during the holidays.  One year, a fire department scheduled this class two days before Thanksgiving and didn't tell the firefighters what the class was about.  Let's just say I didn't get a lot of cooperation and feedback.  Thursday is September 11, which is when our governor gives out the Star of Texas award to injured and families of fallen emergency workers.  I am the lead adviser for this committee, and have been for 4 years, but this will be only the second time I have actually attended the ceremony.  I was in New York one year and last year I was sick.  I am pretty excited to attend this year because three families that I am close with and have worked with over the last two years will be honored this time.

In October I am heading back out to Washington DC for the Congressional Fire Services Administration meeting (an organization that helps legislate on behalf of the fire services.  We have some pretty important bills, like the PSOB, that will be discussed.  I will be also going to Maryland to visit my mentors & friends, as well as volunteer at the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial weekend.  I have been the chaplain for the last two years but I will be working in another area this year.  Going to this memorial just reminds me how important it is to keep our fire service members safe.  Too many firefighters are needlessly dying in the line of duty.  Being around the survivors and hearing their stories and participating in the memorial services just cements my drive to help prevent firefighter fatalities and injuries as well as prepare departments in the event it should happen.

Two weeks after I get back from that, we are heading to Rhode Island for our annual Federation of Fire Chaplains Conference.  I absolutely LOVE this conference.  John and I usually work our tail ends off but I can't think of anything else I would rather do during that time.  We have the best times.  Make the best memories.  Share some of the best stories.  And really have a chance to renew ourselves.  Being a fire service chaplain is difficult work sometimes.  It can be draining, frustrating, and sometimes devastating.  Having the chance to be around other chaplains, serving other chaplains is just a perfect way to end the year.  This year Catherine will be going with us, so that should make for an interesting time!  MELISSA!  I will need you!!! )

Thrown into all of the mix of traveling and such, there will be meetings, family visits, pumpkin patch visiting, Halloween, and so much more.  I also decided, for good measure, to take a couple of counseling courses.  I need some CE hours and plus, after working with the two girls from the last fatality, I feel I need some children's counseling courses.

All of this should make for an interesting last half of 2008!  Let's just hope that Ike decides to fizzle!