A proud sister
What a weekend! We just began an eight hour drive home, so I guess this is a great time to tell you all about it!
My brother Jeff and I have always been very close. He is my only sibling and is 2 ½ years younger than me. The two of us share a special bond, and I could not be more proud of him than I am today. When Jeff was a little boy he never walked anywhere, but ran incessantly. He rode his bike from morning until night, and he always said he wanted to be a fireman when he grew up. I can still picture him running around with a plastic red helmet while playing with his fire trucks. Funny the images that stick with you.
After Jeff graduated from high school, there were no fire stations hiring near his hometown, and the required civil service test was only offered every three years. To make a long story very short, Jeff graduated from college with a teaching degree, and after he married his darling bride Michelle they moved to North Carolina. While he was a good teacher, he was unable to deny his unwavering passion to become a fireman. He began taking the necessary steps to prepare himself to be considered for an interview. This was a very long process and one that seemed hopeless at times, as few people were selected to fill a small number of positions on recruit teams. He did not get a position after his first interview even though he passed all the required tests and had excellent recommendations. Jeff did not give up, however, and he continued to strive to accomplish things to help him stand out in the pool of resumes for hopefully another interview. He was persistent and when the next interview came several months later, he was accepted for the recruit team.
Although Jeff was in excellent physical condition, I don’t think anything could have prepared him for the intense 18 week training period he endured. In the beginning he was unsure if he was even going to make it to the end. The drills they underwent pushed these young men to their limits, the method of training was similar to military boot camp, and the threat of being fired loomed daily should they not meet all requirements. The men began a countdown for the final week during their first week on the job! Jeff continued to put one foot in front of the other as he kept his eye on the finish line.
Friday was his finish line. Jeff stood among the 19 recruits from the 59th Greensboro fire department and they received their hard earned and long awaited badges. They are firefighters. And from all I saw and heard, I have no doubt that this group will be among the finest. One of the graduates spoke at their ceremony, and he opened with Psalm 118:24, “This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.” He went on to talk about integrity, loyalty, and respect. In conclusion this young man led us in prayer, and as I bowed my head I was moved to tears. Those men earned their positions with hard work, dedication, and a passion that transcends a desire to punch in a time clock as they have a genuine desire to serve their community with zeal. Jeff looked so handsome as his wife pinned his badge on his uniform. I had flashbacks of the little boy who ran around wearing a red helmet. A dream fulfilled.
And so I thank God today for the desire He gave Jeff even as a young boy to serve in such an incredible way. I thank Him for placing him at this station with these fine men, at such a time as this.
Introducing firefighter Jeffrey Bryan, Greensboro FD:
Whenever we hear an emergency worker’s siren, our family always stops to pray for the emergency workers and those they are assisting. Recently Matthew said to me, “Soon that will be Uncle Jeff on that truck, Mommy.” Beginning tomorrow, June 8th, it just may be him.
I am so thankful I was able to be there as Jeff crossed the threshold of a finish line to the start of a new chapter. I miss them both so much now that they’ve moved out of state, and it was great to reconnect with them both, tease my little brother, and of course prove to him once again who the Boggle champion is between the two of us. (Not mentioning any names... Hmmm.) He and I are also famous for the worst one-liner expressions ever, and I think he deserves the prize for the best one when he told his wife who is a fourth year med student, “Michelle, doctors should never lose their patience!”
June is a month when many people will celebrate graduations. Is someone you love celebrating a hard earned graduation this year? From college, high school, or perhaps even preschool? Or maybe you are celebrating your graduation this year? If so, tell us about it!
My brother Jeff and I have always been very close. He is my only sibling and is 2 ½ years younger than me. The two of us share a special bond, and I could not be more proud of him than I am today. When Jeff was a little boy he never walked anywhere, but ran incessantly. He rode his bike from morning until night, and he always said he wanted to be a fireman when he grew up. I can still picture him running around with a plastic red helmet while playing with his fire trucks. Funny the images that stick with you.
After Jeff graduated from high school, there were no fire stations hiring near his hometown, and the required civil service test was only offered every three years. To make a long story very short, Jeff graduated from college with a teaching degree, and after he married his darling bride Michelle they moved to North Carolina. While he was a good teacher, he was unable to deny his unwavering passion to become a fireman. He began taking the necessary steps to prepare himself to be considered for an interview. This was a very long process and one that seemed hopeless at times, as few people were selected to fill a small number of positions on recruit teams. He did not get a position after his first interview even though he passed all the required tests and had excellent recommendations. Jeff did not give up, however, and he continued to strive to accomplish things to help him stand out in the pool of resumes for hopefully another interview. He was persistent and when the next interview came several months later, he was accepted for the recruit team.
Although Jeff was in excellent physical condition, I don’t think anything could have prepared him for the intense 18 week training period he endured. In the beginning he was unsure if he was even going to make it to the end. The drills they underwent pushed these young men to their limits, the method of training was similar to military boot camp, and the threat of being fired loomed daily should they not meet all requirements. The men began a countdown for the final week during their first week on the job! Jeff continued to put one foot in front of the other as he kept his eye on the finish line.
Friday was his finish line. Jeff stood among the 19 recruits from the 59th Greensboro fire department and they received their hard earned and long awaited badges. They are firefighters. And from all I saw and heard, I have no doubt that this group will be among the finest. One of the graduates spoke at their ceremony, and he opened with Psalm 118:24, “This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.” He went on to talk about integrity, loyalty, and respect. In conclusion this young man led us in prayer, and as I bowed my head I was moved to tears. Those men earned their positions with hard work, dedication, and a passion that transcends a desire to punch in a time clock as they have a genuine desire to serve their community with zeal. Jeff looked so handsome as his wife pinned his badge on his uniform. I had flashbacks of the little boy who ran around wearing a red helmet. A dream fulfilled.
And so I thank God today for the desire He gave Jeff even as a young boy to serve in such an incredible way. I thank Him for placing him at this station with these fine men, at such a time as this.
Introducing firefighter Jeffrey Bryan, Greensboro FD:
Whenever we hear an emergency worker’s siren, our family always stops to pray for the emergency workers and those they are assisting. Recently Matthew said to me, “Soon that will be Uncle Jeff on that truck, Mommy.” Beginning tomorrow, June 8th, it just may be him. I am so thankful I was able to be there as Jeff crossed the threshold of a finish line to the start of a new chapter. I miss them both so much now that they’ve moved out of state, and it was great to reconnect with them both, tease my little brother, and of course prove to him once again who the Boggle champion is between the two of us. (Not mentioning any names... Hmmm.) He and I are also famous for the worst one-liner expressions ever, and I think he deserves the prize for the best one when he told his wife who is a fourth year med student, “Michelle, doctors should never lose their patience!”
June is a month when many people will celebrate graduations. Is someone you love celebrating a hard earned graduation this year? From college, high school, or perhaps even preschool? Or maybe you are celebrating your graduation this year? If so, tell us about it!
posted by Jennifer at
4:11 PM
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