When It Comes to ‘First Responders’ — Just Stop!

I knocked on the door of the fire house, and it was answered by an inquisitive young firefighter. Immediately he welcomed me into the house where I was greeted by the faces of the others on duty for the day. I explained that I just wanted to say thank you for what they do every day and gave them my tray of five dozen cookies.

The next year, I decided to do the same and was greeted with the same welcoming and thankful smiles of the firefighters. The next year, a new fire house opened and I added them to my delivery list as well.

I don’t know if these men and women know the effect that they have on me (and many others) but I do know that I don’t want them not to know. This week, after all of the tragic news and the stories of bravery, I felt that I needed to make an extra trip to say thank you and I delivered an extra tray of goodies to my local houses this week.

So just stop complaining about your speeding tickets, check points, and any other minor inconveniences that the first responders in our country have to impose in the duties of their jobs – they do what the rest of us can’t or won’t.

Stop complaining. Start saying thank you.

Stephanie Bertorelli is a publicist and author living in Charlotte, NC. She’s the mother of two girls that she’s raised to say thank you to all officers and soldiers they meet and who also know that they better get the tissues ready for mom when the National Anthem plays. With a passion for sparkly shoes and vintage green dresses, she spends her free time (what free time?) writing, perfecting new recipes and trying out new wines.