What does pride mean to you?
Pride For me it is the love of my job, not only my job, but the people and area I serve on a daily basis. Pride to me is putting in the extra time and sweat to make sure the job gets done, even when others have gone home.
I've had a few moments in my career that have made me proud of who I am, and of my roots. My proudest moment so far would have to be when I was sworn in as a state fire marshal. You see, it has always been my dream to become a fire marshal ever since I was about 16 years old! It felt amazing as I lifted my right hand and took my oath. I was finally going to be living my dream. All my achievements had come to this point!
I'm sure I tripped over my words a few times. I was so nervous but excited at the same time. It was all so new!
I wish my family and friends could have been there. In a way I guess they were.. they had always supported me in hard times. When the road sometimes was the darkest they have always been there to guide the light so I could get thru another day.
I went in to talk to a group of high school kids the other day. I usually try to relate what classes they are taking in school to the work force and explain the importance and how frequently I use the knowledge from that class on a day to day basis. As I was nearing the end of my speech, I had a girl ask me "so what do you do on a daily basis?"
It kinda took me back a bit. How do I explain what I do in one day. I'm a jack of all trades, and master of none right? I think as public safety workers we do it all. Not just one job, but multitudes of professions.. we are counselors when the public needs to cope or talk, plumbers, construction contractor's, mechanics for the people who broke down on the side of the road, parents and baby sitters for the parents who can't or refuse to raise their kids...
Instead of telling her all that I simply replied, " I go to a clubhouse everyday" .. I continued with.. " you see I don't go to work everyday. I go to a place where I enjoy. I enjoy coming in to talk to you guys. I don't have bad days , I have freaking awesome adventures every day
I chose a job that I am absolutely in love with, And if you do what makes you happy, you won't ever go to another day of work your whole entire life.
Needless to say when I left that room most of the students had smiles on their face and I knew then that my message had gotten accross..
If you walk into my bedroom today you will see a picture frame on the wall. In that frame there is a piece of paper that is my oath. A daily reminder to me of how proud I am to be in my position and how if you work hard towards your goals in life, anything is achievable!
Proudest day of my life? I've had so many and they keep on coming.. what's yours?
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