Snow again. I got home between storms last night after a much needed visit with Mo at college. How great to have that time, just the two of us. She is so happy there in her new world away from home. Another reinvention of the girl we know. This is the other side of our Mo. Volunteer firefighter. She joined the fire department on her 17th birthday, the minimum age, the only girl. All her own idea, but especially determined after some of the boys at school said she could never do it, she has surprised everyone with her unwavering dedication and passion for firefighting. Many, many hours training on school nights, countless fire calls (some on school days), grunt work, dangerous work, sometimes terrifying, heartbreaking scenes. After a year of probationary status, she pursued extended training to be rated for the interior squad, knows how to use the jaws of life to rip off the top of a car, cut through a wall with a chainsaw and insists she can carry a man down a ladder. Her dad's response to that was "You'd have to call ahead for an ambulance because I'd have a heart attack on the way down." She's not all that big. Still, we are totally confident that she knows what she is doing along with everyone else on the call.
I don't even know who took this picture- it came through email about a year ago. But it was taken Feb 12, 2006. After a big blizzard with a foot of snow, she was outside cleaning off her buried car in case there was a fire call. Sure enough, the horn and her pager went off and our neighbor was yelling at the end of the street. The fire, a serious fire, was there- 3 houses away. Someone threw her gear on board and she met the truck at the fire. I remember her running down the street in sweats slipping and sliding in the snow. No coat.
Her helmet says Princess inside which is what they call her-- and she kind of is, a princess- an unfussy, tough one for sure, but princessy in the way that she knows she is special and adored. This photo captures that paradox pretty well, and I love so many things about it. That little bit of manicured thumbnail showing. The hair. All that gear they wear. The magical, swirling snow in the air. Her confidence and intensity. Interesting that she joined this fraternity after years of having mostly boys for friends, and yet she is still such a girl. Now rarely seen without mascara, we can't forget that at age 3, she fell asleep most nights with a cardboard sword and her pirate bandana. Yo-ho! was the answer for everything. When she was 5, she conducted her own neighborhood food drive with the red wagon and me in tow. One busy neighbor said sorry, he didn't have anything to donate. She asked if we could come in and help him look. Just a minute. He came back with a stack of cans.
The boundless imagination of a child, playing and pretending to be a force in the world. Isn't it exciting that a girl can be anything she wants to be? Test herself at such a young age and cut her own unexpected path. Scramble all the rules and then rewrite them to fit.....I mean, sorry, Paris Hilton, but that's hot! Over spring break, she is coming home to march in the department's St. Patrick's Day parade- no secret that she misses her family of firefighters as much as us. When school is finished for the summer, she will be right back here with her cherished band of brothers- volunteers and heroes every one, rushing off to jump on the truck, strap on helmet, mask, tank, and go inside. It's who she is. And we are so, so proud.
Wow! That is awesome. It brought tears
to my eyes. You have every reason to be a very proud parent.
Posted by: Lisa Wakely | February 26, 2007 at 10:56 AM
Wow, that was beautiful writing, you have every reason to be proud. She sounds great!
Posted by: Catherine | February 26, 2007 at 11:29 AM
Brought tears to my eyes too! That's so fantastic. You have every reason to be very proud parents.
Posted by: Nonnie | February 26, 2007 at 11:30 AM
Wow! Having a girl of my own, this post really hit me. I tell her all the time that she can be anything. It's so nice to know that this really is true.
Posted by: Julie | February 26, 2007 at 12:02 PM
Mo is a hero and I love how proud you are of her. We owe a lot to these young adults and their passion for helping others.
My future son-in-law is also a firefighter/paramedic and I have had the pleasure of meeting some of his 'brothers'. They are cut from the same cloth, all brave and true. They make me proud.
Your Mo makes me proud too.
Posted by: Lisa | February 26, 2007 at 12:14 PM
Agree with the others - what a great story, what a wonderful young woman your daughter is growing up to be and how wonderful to feel the pride you have in her. Well done! :-)
Posted by: Linda Sonia | February 26, 2007 at 01:29 PM
Oh my, your story about your daughter is so touching that I actually have tears in my eyes. You have much of which to be proud with this special daughter of yours.
Posted by: June | February 26, 2007 at 01:31 PM
Way to go Mo! What a great Princess yo are.
Charlotte, I understand why you are such a proud Mum :-)
Posted by: Britt-Arnhild | February 26, 2007 at 02:14 PM
The boundless imagination of a child, playing and pretending to be a force in the world. Isn't it exciting that a girl can be anything she wants to be? Test herself at such a young age and cut her own unexpected path. Scramble all the rules and then rewrite them to fit.....I mean, sorry, Paris Hilton, but that's hot!
-- So well written. What a beautiful tribute to your daughter!
Thank you,
Kelli
Posted by: Kelli | February 26, 2007 at 03:07 PM
Africankelli sent me over here. My husband is a firefighter so she thought I might like this.
I just love that picture of your daughter! I've got one of my husband right after a fire that I adored and I put it in this: http://www.firefighter.com/Leases2/Home.cfm?Action=Webview&ProductID1=381056&WebRet=Yes&StoreID=205&AID=1000&PRMO=None
I am constantly amazed by the fact that people do that job as volunteers. I tell you, they are very special people!
Posted by: atpanda | February 26, 2007 at 03:18 PM
That was so well written, MY motherly pride welled up, I love stories like that, hearing the passion and dedication that a young pirate keeps inside her to bring out when it is most important. Then throw in the photo and I was a goner!!!!
Posted by: cari | February 26, 2007 at 03:36 PM
I have a little pirate myself-only 7 years old and I wonder what he will be. He says an astonaut-and a policeman. I know that you are so proud, and rightfully so.
Posted by: willzmom | February 26, 2007 at 05:51 PM
A beautiful post about a beautiful young woman. You have every right to be proud.
Posted by: Beth | February 26, 2007 at 05:58 PM
I haven't visited this blog in a while ,but something in the universe drew me here today to see this beautiful picture of Mo fighting the fire at OUR house about one year ago. She was our personal hero that day along with the rest of the Irvington fire department and those of the neighboring towns. They saved our house, our dream house. Charlotte and Andy were also our heroes- Keeping myself ,our three children ,their two friends ,and our puppy warm while we very nervously waited to see if we would have a home to go back to. Charlotte was a great comfort to us all that day. She and Andy did everything in their power to help us through the very difficult days to follow and didn't leave our sides until they were sure we'd be OK. So it's no surprise to us that Mo is a hero because she comes from heroes! We are, very happily, back in our rebuilt home and we carry the lessons from the Lyons family of how to be really good neighbors and great friends.
Thanks again to you three one year later!!! We miss you Mo.
Posted by: Nancy Rosner | February 26, 2007 at 06:45 PM
Charlotte, what a blessed mama you are and how lucky we are to have such an amazing person to serve her community. Clarice
Posted by: clarice | February 26, 2007 at 07:01 PM
Wow! Learning about your daughter was amazing, and then seeing the note from Nancy Rosner about it being her house, just melted my heart!
Donna
Posted by: The Decorated House | February 26, 2007 at 07:50 PM
Oh my goodness, what a girl! I am now oh so very proud of her and I'm not even her mom. Blessings to you and family!
Posted by: Rebecca S | February 26, 2007 at 09:10 PM
You got me right in the only little teeny tiny soft spot in my heart. Each of your girls is so unique, so individual. I love all you guys.
xox Dede
Posted by: Dede | February 26, 2007 at 09:30 PM
What a wonderful post! Thanks for sharing that.
Posted by: Kristin | February 26, 2007 at 10:44 PM
Charlotte,
How proud you are and how wonderful that your daughter is following her dreams. Such a wonderful story. I took have children her age who are incredible human beings and I look forward to seeing all their dreams come to fruition!
Posted by: Maggie | February 26, 2007 at 10:53 PM
What an inspiring story and what a beautiful, young woman.
Posted by: nel | February 27, 2007 at 12:12 AM
isn't is funny how when they are young you want them to never grow up but when they do it's so nice to have strong young people to help the world?and then they're your friend also. a beautiful post and a beautiful girl-inside and out.
Posted by: suesue | February 27, 2007 at 08:06 AM
That's what I call a real woman. Paris who?........you're girl is a real star.
Posted by: Isobel | February 27, 2007 at 08:31 AM
WOW! One word: WOW!
I'm really blown away at her talents and determination. How inspiring is that??! Go Mo!
Posted by: teresa mcfayden | February 27, 2007 at 10:57 AM
What a beautiful,courageous,inspiring young woman your daughter is Charlotte. You've done good.
xo,
Kim
Posted by: Daisy Cottage | February 27, 2007 at 11:37 AM
You're a beautiful writer. And your daughter seems like an amazing human being. I'm sure you are extrememly proud.
Posted by: Rhonda | February 27, 2007 at 11:38 AM
What a wonderful daughter you have Charlotte - and beautiful too.
She reminds me of my little S. - although only 4 she has enough spunk and love of life and determination to make all of her dreams realities. I just hope she doesn't age me 100 years before she gets there :-)
Posted by: Angie Grimm | February 27, 2007 at 02:36 PM
Charlotte, wow! What an amazing daughter you have!! Something about this post reminds me of my younger sister, who she was and who I imagined she'd become.
You must be an incredible mother to have such daughters. I bet they admire you as much as you clearly do them.
Posted by: **Crystal** | February 27, 2007 at 06:06 PM
WoW! I jsut stumbled across your blog and read this. I am a mom of 4 little girls. I love this post about your daughter. Amazing and inspiring. I can't wait to tell my girls and reinforce the idea that they really can do ANYTHING that they set their minds to. Thank you for sharing this.
Posted by: Heather H. | February 27, 2007 at 10:13 PM
What an awesome story and woman/child! I know you are proud and should be!
Thanks for sharing.
Carol
Come visit me!
http://ourreddoor.blogspot.com
Posted by: Carol | February 28, 2007 at 07:24 AM
What a wonderful story! Thank you for sharing, your daughter truly is an inspiration!
Posted by: Angie | March 01, 2007 at 12:49 PM
This made me cry. My son is in fire academy and a part-timer on department. Following in his grandpa's footsteps. My daddy is so proud as am I. :) I can imagine how you feel...
Posted by: Stephanie | March 01, 2007 at 02:56 PM
what a wonderful post. i am going to read it to my 5 yr old daughter. "a girl can be anything she wants to be"!
Posted by: tracy | March 02, 2007 at 01:26 PM
Oh, no! I'm getting choked up. I can't wait to show this to my daughter. She's 6 in a couple of weeks. She's very firm that she wants to be a firefighter. And a farmer! I think she could actually pull it off :D
Posted by: Tinuviel | March 07, 2007 at 11:48 AM