Sad,Sad News
 

Those of faith here, we believe that God works in mysterious ways....my son, who has a form of autism where he is called high functioning....he has major issues with his coping skills......so I have to run interferance for him, and assist him absorbing chaos, or tragic news, etc.... I had to call in sick today because during the night, my left side of my face became swollen and I had tremendous pain and dizziness and nausea.....I did not know if this was my chronic ear issues, or if I had an abcessed tooth......I was obviously grounded for the day. So then I am watching TV....and we have a huge fire here on the other side of town....and they keep calling in more frefighters, pulling more alarms....then it happens...the building collapses on firefighters, men trapped, 5 rushed to the hospital, 2 critical....then comes the news....we lost 4 firefighters in that fire when the building collapsed....news is, one of the deaths is from fire station #51....Jimmy perks up then because he grew up with a kid that is a fireman out of that station....he starts becoming visibly anxious and worried. I turned off the TV, which seemed to make it worse for him........I try to reassure him that I dont think he has anything to worry about, chances are very good his friend is going to be just fine.....God is watching over him......and then I get the call....our little Robert, who we have known since he was in middle school, was one of the 4 that was killed when the roof fell in on them.....Thank God, my face is the size of a basket ball and I was here at home when we got that news....Jimmy initially did not do real well....he has no coping skills for these things and he withdraws and almost becomes catatonic....,but we have worked thru this tragic news, Jimmy is processing the information, a little bit at a time.....this is just soooooo sad for this precious young man, Robert....please pray for this young mans family, and all the others we lost today.......God Bless our first responders that charge right into hell for all of us every day....I heard they went in to rescue people they thought may be trapped inside.....

Oh this is very sad. Will say a prayer for them all. Sounds like you needed to be at home with your son today. Hope you are okay also.

Praying for you all...

I pray you and Jimmy are doing better tomorrow. I heard about the fire and the deaths on the news. It is really sad. My thoughts and prayers are with all the families effected.

That is horrible news my thoughts and blessings go out to those fireman's families and friends. Also my heart goes out to your son. May he get comfort in time. Hugs to you both.

I am very sorry for you and Jimmy for your loss of your friend Robert. Praying for comfort for you and Robert's family.

praying for all of you

Judy I know your heart and I know its hurting right now for Joey and the fallen hero...I am so sorry...I am thinking and praying for peace for all...This is a tragedy...peace and love.

So very sad for all of you. Prayers going out for all families.

Oh Judy. How terrible. My thoughts and prayers for the families and friends of these brave men. Special prayers for Jimmy as he struggles to deal with it all in his way.



The Firefighter's Prayer
When I am called to duty, God, whenever flames may rage;

Give me strength to save some life, whatever be its age.

Help me embrace a little child before it is too late

Or save an older person from the horror of that fate.

Enable me to be alert and hear the weakest shout,

And quickly and efficiently to put the fire out.

I want to fill my calling and to give the best in me,

To guard my every neighbor and protect his property.

And if, according to my fate, I am to lose my life;

Please bless with your protecting hand
my children and my wife.

Author Unknown

There was a lot of coverage of that huge fire here in North Texas and on CNN, Fox and I think even MSNBC had some on it but the local stations kept showing it. It looked awful as it was and then the deaths and injuries were announced. So many firemen lost! I'm sure sorry one of them was your family's friend and especially painful to your dear son. I know he must be hurting and you too. Where do we keep finding fine young people as these first responders who live and all too often die so bravely trying to help others! Such a terrible tragedy and so hard to hear. I pray for their families and for you and your son, too. I know all of Texas as a state is hurting tonight over this great loss of so many of our finest but how much greater the pain and loss for the family and friends who knew and loved these heroes.

I pray you feel better, Judy, and that your Jimmy can deal with this pain without extreme stress reaction that hurts him even more. It is a terribly sad day. R.I.P., Robert and crew.

Wow, I am so sorry to hear this news. I listened to the story on the news radio on the way home from work. Never did I expect one of our own YT friends would have such a strong connection with the victims. I hope your son is doing better tomorrow.

AWwwwwwww........this is beautiful....thank you so much for this.....This young man (I keep wanting to call him a kid, since I have known him since 6th grade....he was 41) was VERY special to Jimmy. When Jimmy was in school, he was always the target for bullies...you know how mean kids can be....it was one day when some thugs were harrassing Jimmy on the school bus....they used to steal his lunch money from him, telling him he had to pay to ride the school bus, so Jimmy would hand his money over.....Robert saw this happening one day, and he intervened....he got my sons lunch money back, and he reported the kids to the principal, and then he came and told me, so I could follow up. From that day on, Robert always watched out for Jimmy, all the way until he graduated from high school......I found out Jimmy was one of those kids that used to eat lunch all alone, at a table in the corner.....Robert saw this, and he and the kids he ran with, started eating with Jimmy.......and most of all these kids that grew up together, became fire fighters, policemen, or EMTs.....so they still all live and work right here in our community....we just saw Robert last weekend at a bar-b-q at the fire station.....Thank you again for your prayers and condolences.....

Oh Judy, this is heart breaking. :( Praying for God to give Jimmy comfort and strength through the pain and loss of his best friend. Robert sounds like a very special young man.
Praying for all the families and friends of the brave men who lost theirs lives.
Hugs to you and your loving son.

Prayers to you and your son for some peace after such a tragedy.