I know that people say time heals all wounds, but when you lose someone you love time just seems to standstill. You want so badly to go back into time when that person was still alive in order to hold onto those precious moments you were able to experience with them. You want to be able to see their eyes so full or life or hear their laughter again or even do anything in your power to be sure that they know how loved they were. I guess that's why people say take a lot of pictures in order to capture those moments that you want to remember for a lifetime, because you never know when something such as death might occur. Yes, death is inevitable, it's something that everyone will face when their time comes to join our Lord and Creator in Heaven. Some of you know that my grandmother went home to our Lord on Monday February 16 and we buried her that Friday February 20. She had been suffering for many years and I know it would be selfish of me to say that I wish she was still with us, so I won't. She chose when she wanted to die and she went peacefully to a place where she will no longer feel any pain and where she can watch over each and every loved one that was close to her. She was a well loved woman who brought joy into everyone's lives that she came in contact with. Indeed she is a woman who will be greatly missed. Granted her body gave away and we buried the outer shell that was her, but her spirit and memory lives on in each and every person who knew her. It's been a long couple weeks for my family and I to the point where we all our emotionally exhausted and our hearts are heavy with her passing. Though, in her death the bond between my family grew stronger and old hurts between family members were forgiven and reconciled. Which is something I think she wanted most for us. She wanted us to be a family again and to celebrate her memory and take part in each others lives. Life is a precious thing, something that should be shared with each other. It's not something that should be wasted on hatred, fear, resentment, or regret. One should live life to it's fullest, laugh as often as possible and love like there is no tomorrow. Forgive those who have done you wrong and set yourself free from any regret that you may have. In closing I would just like to thank those who has been there for my family and I in this dark moment of our lives. Thank you for all your prayers and words of comfort. They are and were greatly appreciated. <><><><><><><><><><><><> When I get where I'm going By: Brad Paisley, featuring Dolly Parton When I get where I'm going on the far side of the sky. The first thing that I'm gonna do Is spread my wings and fly. I'm gonna land beside a lion, and run my fingers through his mane. Or I might find out what it's like To ride a drop of rain (Chorus Yeah when I get where I'm going, there'll be only happy tears. I will shed the sins and struggles, I have carried all these years. And I'll leave my heart wide open, I will love and have no fear. Yeah when I get where I'm going, Don't cry for me down here. I'm gonna walk with my grandaddy, and he'll match me step for step, and I'll tell him how I missed him, every minute since he left. Then I'll hug his neck. (Chorus) So much pain and so much darkness, in this world we stumble through. All these questions, I can't answer, so much work to do. But when I get where I'm going, and I see my Maker's face. I'll stand forever in the light, of His amazing grace. Yeah when I get where I'm going, Yeah when I get where I'm going, there'll be only happy tears. Hallelujah! I will love and have no fear. When I get where I'm going. Yeah when I get where I'm going. <><><><><><><><><><><><> I Love You Grandma and I'm going to miss you so much.

Steady as the beating drum My heart beats for my warrior Gone away to fight a battle against an unknown enemy Oh how I long for him to retrun to me safe and sound To be held in his arms, to taste his sweet kiss once again knowing I am loved Each day I watch for him, not knowing if he'll return to me Looking to the heavens looking for some sign of hope Praying to brother wolf protect him from danger Praying to brother eagle protect his skies Send my warrior home to me safely with pride showing in his eyes Let me love him to no end proving to him he's my one and only love In my dreams I see his face those familiar eyes filled with love I can almost feel myself wraped in his warm embrace Steady as the beating drum my heart beats for my warrior Gone away to fight a battle against and unknown enemy..

1. No man/woman is worth your tears and the only one who is, will never make you cry. 2. If you love someone, put their name in a circle instead of a heart, because hearts break and circles go on forever. 3. Everyone hears what you say. Friends listen to what you say. Best friends listen to what you don't say. 4. If all my friends were to jump off a bridge, I wouldn't jump with them. I'd be at the bottom to catch them. 5. Don't frown because you never know who is falling in love with your smile. 6. If you judge a person you have no time to love them. 7. Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a harder battle. 8. It takes a minute to have a crush on someone, an hour to like someone, and a day to love someone, but it takes a lifetime to forget someone. 9. Enthusiasm is contagious. You could start an epidemic! 10. Yesterday is of the past, tomorrow is of the future. Today is a gift, that is why we call it the present.

When I am called to duty, God Whenever flames may rage, Give me the strength to save some life Whatever be its age, Help me embrace a little child Before it is too late Or save an older person from The horror of that fate Enable me to be alert and Hear the weakest shout And quickly and efficiently To put the fire out I want to fill my calling and To give the best in me, To guard my every neighbor and Protect his property And if according to my fate I am to lose my life, Please bless with your protecting hand My children and my wife. <>author unknown<>

Brother when you weep for me- Remember that it was meant to be Lay me down when you leave- Remember I'll be at your sleeve In every dark and choking hall- I'll be there as you slowly crawl On every roof in driving snow- I'll hold your coat and you will know In cellars hot with searing heat- At windows where a gate you meet In closets where young children hide-You know I'll be there at your side The house from which I now respond- Is over staffed from heroes gone Men who answered the last bell- Did the job and did it well As firemen we understand- That death's a card delt in our hand A card we hope to never play- But one we hold there anyway That card is something we ignore- As we crawl along a weakened floor For we know that we're the only prayer- For anyone who might be there So remember as you wipe your tears- The job I knew throughout the years As I did the job I loved to do- I pray that thought will see you through. --Author Unknown

Firefighter Dies Fighting Harborcreek Fire Reported by: Karla Mullenax Tuesday, Apr 8, 2008 @05:02pm EST Firefighter Mike Crotty was killed today at the scene of a fire at Port Erie Plastics. Officials say a pipe that carries water up a tower truck broke off and fell on Crotty, killing him. The fire broke out at about 4:00 p.m. when a pile of wood and plastic pallets went up in flames. At the peak of this incident, flames and smoke could be seen as high as 40 feet above the building. Crews from several different fire departments around the area responded. No plant workers were hurt in the incident. Damage to the plant is said to be contained to the north side of the building. 250 employees who work at the plant have been sent home. <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> My prayers go out to the family and friends of Mike Crotty. He died doing what he loved doing and he answered one last bell. He did his job and he did it well. He may be gone, but will never be forgotten.

*This is a short story I wrote when I was in my junior year of high school, I hope you like it* A sense of sorrow and fear gripped my heart tightly as the dispatcher's words constantly ran through my mind, "Station 70, two story structure fire on Williams Road with entrapment of a four year old male on the first floor." Mesmerized by the blaring sirens from the fiery red fire truck, warning vehicles of our speedy approach to disperse and let us through. I began to think of that terrified little boy surrounded by blackening smoke, crying for his mother. The agonizing ride seemed endless until we pulled into the bumpy dirt covered driveway leading towards the burning building. Stepping off the truck, pulling on the rest of my turn out gear, I stood praying outside the burning building, shooting flames from all directions towards the sky, darkened with thick smoke, that God would allow me to return home tonight Bravely walking towards the glowing building prepared to face every fire fighters worse fear of dancing with the devil in the form of deadly flames. Checking the door and breathing fresh air from the air pack, I slowly glanced up towards the sky, orange and red sparks spurting in all directions. Kicking in the door hoping that a backdraft would not occur, I dropped to my knees and crawled just below the black smoke, carefully feeling my way along the walls, caving in from the flames creeping along the wooden beams above. Peeking around the corner of a doorway, my eyes expertly scanned the room for some sign of movement. Seeing nothing, I continued on until I arrived at the next room, noticing that the room was filled with children’s toys. Proceeding cautiously into the room my hand slowly searched every corner for some form of a child who might be curled up whimpering or crying for help, at least that’s what I hoped to find. Blindly crawling even further into the room, I felt shaking hands clutch onto my arm pulling me towards it. Wrapping my cloth covered arms around the unknown figure, realizing the unknown figure turned out to be the frightened boy who had been lost within the flaming devil’s reach. Securely wrapping the boy’s trembling arms around my neck, covering his face from the thickening smoke, ready to take away his last breath, a hand supporting his back, I again crouched low to the ground, crawling towards the doorway that would lead us into the hall of our escape. Hearing a loud crackling noise I looked upwards in time to see wooden beams crash down around the child and me. Reaching the hall filled with even darker smoke as the fire on the second floor, secretly crept along the walls towards us. We crawled together each lost in our own nightmares, together wishing for a breath of clean air. While feeling along the walls frantically searching for the open door, water began gushing around us, which seemed to be a great relief compared to the scorching heat. Again feeling a hand upon my sleeve I looked up smiling, recognizing a familiar face of a fellow fire fighter pulling me to my feet, then taking the scared boy from my arms Turning around while I pulled off my mask again facing the flaming devil mumbling, "You didn’t win this time. When you show yourself again, you’ll only know defeat, never glory." Remembering the little boy, I dashed to the medic truck where the paramedic was carefully evaluating him. Receiving word that the boy was going to live, to see another glorious morning with his family by his side. I thanked God for allowing us to survive this memorable night.

Time has slowly ticked away, the year is now gone and a new one is upon us. Now is the time to close a hurtful complicated chapter in my life and start anew. It’s time for me to forget all wrong doings from the year 2007 and to forgive those deserving of forgiveness. Putting behind me the broken promises of those who claimed to love me and mend my broken heart. The year 2008 is my new beginning. A time for me to focus on finishing school in June and passing my boards with flying colors. Eventually, I’ll also be attending my five year reunion from school which will give me the chance to connect with old friends from high school. My main focus of the year will be spending time with my son and helping him to excel in his young life and to do good in school. From now on I am going to be more careful with my heart and not rush into any promises of a relationship or love. I want to support myself and my son without having to depend on another person. I need to be able to stand on my own to feet. Another goal of mine will be to lose some weight and change some of my habits. One main habit I need to change is cutting back on the swearing because my lil man is defiantly repeating a lot of the things he hears. Which, isn’t really a good thing. This year I hopefully will accomplish a long time goal of getting my driver’s license so I’ll be able to go places without being a pain to others. Not only that but I defiantly need to have my own freedom. In the new year I am looking forward to making new friends, turning another year older (yeah which is only a week away), becoming a nurse, and reconnecting with old friends. Life is full of many trials, tribulations, and obstacles and I am ready to face whatever the year 2008 has to bring. What doesn’t kill me will only make me stronger. I want to thank all of my friends who have helped me in the year 2007 for all that they have done to help me through the rough times of the year even if it was just by listening to me vent or believing in me when all I wanted to do was give up on a couple things. I look forward to seeing you in the new year. To those who don’t know me that well, I look forward to getting to know you better and hopefully becoming great friends. Happy New Year everyone and God Bless….. P.S. I love you all!