The Fireman's Eyes

I left the house a little later than usual this morning, and entered onto the highway only to find that there was an accident a half-a-mile ahead. I didn't let it upset me though. Instead, I turned the music up a little louder and settled back to follow the stream of traffic, not dodging in and out in random frantic patterns. Five emergency vehicles passed me on the left, and as they passed I said a prayer that all would be well for whoever was involved. But then it came to me that while my prayers would give support to those in need, in the end, all would be the way it was destined to happen. I've learned that there is no "real good" or "real bad" in the Universe except for what we give credit to in the acceptance of the thought that becomes reality by mutual consent.

Now in a second's glance that I was allowed, I saw into the eyes of a fireman as I passed. I saw much more this time than I had seen in previous times within the same circumstances. The fireman's eyes were focusing on something. I'm sure I couldn't see, or did I? His eyes were telling me how dedicated he was to the situation, and how focused he was on his only priority. Nothing else was on his mind. No other thoughts came from his eyes except that he would need to make short time of whatever was needed in order to help these people in distress. In neither real life, nor any movie I ever saw, not even "Backdraft," did anyone ever capture the reality of his fervent devotion to these people. While I've always respected those who choose professions of this nature, today I found an added respect for the force that drove that fireman to relentless concentration, in minimizing and controlling the hectic moments, and once more bringing order to such disarray.

Did I really feel the heat of his blood and the surging of his heartbeat that day, and if that is what I felt, how intense it was, that I could feel it too! It is truly amazing how everything that had become mundane to me from years of repetition, now present a fresh and renewed meaning with each new experience.

Only seconds later, after I had passed the scene, the traffic picked up its tempo. To my surprise, I arrived at work five minutes earlier. I was puzzled to sit and ponder that, with all that excitement and me leaving the house late, I managed to arrive at work early. Who would have figured? Destiny had a hand in this also, I'm sure.