It seems like yesterday, and not almost a year ago, that I saw the Heroes Wanted sign on the banner for the Morris Township Fire Department at the Streeter pool in Morris Township. I am actually writing this column on the grass at the pool, thinking about the long road I've taken to get to fill one of my goals being a volunteer firefighter.

Volunteers get free membership at the pool, as well as other things provided by Morris Township. I didn't even know that when I signed up.

I am looking at the diving board and think how fear made me never go off the diving board when I belonged to the Orange Avenue pool in Cranford last year. It brought back to mind a drill we had a few months back where we had to jump off a diving board in full gear. No one ever knew about my previous diving board fear. I just did what I had to do and wasn't afraid at all.

When I came home and told my kids about the drill, they blew it off. However, when I told them I wasn't afraid to fly anymore, that got noticed. I used to be petrified of flying, except when I had to pick up my children when we adopted them. By me facing this fear, I got my 11 year old not be afraid of flying, hence we were able to go to Wrestlemania in Florida a few months ago.

I have come a long way in a year. Volunteering for an organization that requires us to be 'heroes' makes me challenge myself to do things I would not normally do.

I am going to be 47 in 3 weeks. My goal for this year was to ride a motorcycle. It's something I have looked at with envy and fear. But you know what? Why should I be afraid? There are alot more scary things to be afraid of, and after all, I am going to be a firefighter soon. How cool is that.

PS If you are reading this and have a motorcycle I want a ride. LOL