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.

Oh, that is so very sad about the fire and deaths.

Prayers for the families, and for you and your son, as you deal with his friend's passing. He sounds like he was an amazing man.

This is terrible news. My heart goes out to all of the families of those that were lost & my heart goes out to you and Jimmy. Having worked many years with law enforcement & firefighters, I agree that they are mostly brave, selfless, dedicated & wonderful people. I really don't know how they do it from day to day. Also, you sound like you are of the same caliber---a great, compassionate mom. May God be with you, Jimmy & all the loved ones of those firefighters. My prayers go out to all.

I am so very sorry for the loss of this very special young man. It sounds like Robert was "family", those kids that come into your children's life and remain in your heart. God is Great, although HE doesn't prevent tragedies from happening as a result of giving us free will, His Wisdom, Love and Help are there to provide comfort and to draw believers closer to Him.

Sending prayers upward for the tragic loss of Robert and the other fire fighters for their families, coworkers and friends. Sending extra prayers for your Jimmy and you - that you find the strength to help Jimmy through the death of his special friend.

I'm very sorry about your puffy face, but I'm sending a special prayer of thanksgiving for you being home at a time your Jimmy really needed his momma. God Bless you all!

I saw it on the news. I thought of all the kids I have had as students who have gone on to be fire fighters or police. In Miami it is a very sought after vocation....

I think of the pride the young men, and women feel when they make it! How they feel they have reached their dreams. I know my oldest dd who is now in nursing school is dating a young man who hopes to be hired soon as a firefighter locally. Many people feel resentment because they only work 3 days a week.. have other business on the side etc... but I say do you put your life on the line each time you go to work? They do!!!!

My heart breaks for the families.. and people like your son who greave for them.

I am so sorry

Prayers!

We serve a Mighty God and I dont believe that it was co-incidental that you were ill today. Our God is not confused. I pray for peace for you and your son aswell as the families of the fallen Heros.

I also know, without a doubt, this was all Devine Design...it happens in my life with regularity. Our Hevenly Father watches out for all of us, the most innocent and vulnerable ones are expecially in His protective grasp. He helps me provide for my son in so many ways, and it seems I have always ended up being "caused" to stay home, and something always unforseen happens that would have had a really negative impact on Jimmy if I was not here to help catch him. I will have to pray for guidance about whether to let him attend the funeral....I have no idea how to handle that issue....I will have to consult Jimmy's psychologist also, for his input....

I'm so sorry Judy, I want to protect my sons from any pain, and I know that's impossible, but it wonderful when we can comfort them. I'm so glad you were at home with Jimmy, but my goodness don't you play hooky for anything less dramatic, like maybe a bad hair day? Geez, God has to say, "I've got to blow her face up, before Judy stays home." Anyway, Robert sounds like a wonderful man and he'll probably become one of God's guardian angels. Sending prayers for your families.

I'm so sorry for Jimmy's and your loss. I am a high school teacher who works with students with special needs. I have great respect for parents who are strong advocates for their kids. I am very close with a young man with Aspergers who now attends NYU Tische. He is very sensitive and has always been so in tune with how I was feeling. I didn't tell him, but when he found out that Ashley passed away about this time three years ago, he was deeply upset. I think I felt the most support from feeling his love. What I am sure of is that Jimmy will come through this with the support of his loving mom who is always devoted to him. My prayers are with you both.

I am so sorry forthe loss of your dear friend Robert. I can't imagine how awful this is for your son Jimmy to have to cope with. It was a tremendous blessing you were home when he got the news. Sending prayers~

Judy i am so sorry for all the sorrow that you and your special son are going through...God had a place for this kind hearted young man in his many Mansions, he seen the love that he had for Jimmy, and i know that he will ease his broken heart..Hugs to you all

OMG Judy, as I sit here in tears I am praying for you, Jimmy and the families of your fallen heros! I am so sorry! What a horrible experience for your community!

Judy, I am so sorry for the firefighters who have passed. Robert sure was a special guy being there for Jimmy and then becoming a fireman. Prayers to you, Jimmy, Robert's family and all the firemen.

This brought tears to my eyes.
From reading what you wrote, Robert was a great man.
I can't imagine how you and Jimmy are feeling.
We will be praying for the firefighters who lost their lives helping others.

Can't get you off my mind Judy...((((((((Judy)))))))) So so sorry...