I was laying on my futon this afternoon listening to music on my Ipod and a song I hadn't heard in awhile started to play (it was on random shuffle)....I didn't recongize it after but as it played I realized it was Billy Dean's song "You don't count the cost"....Anyway to get to the point of this entry...

     Lately I have done alot of thinking; about my future and what I want to do upon graduation this comeing June.I mean I know what I want to do. I want to continue voluenteering for the fire company; while I attend Hudson Valley Community College for two years (and even after I graduate) to obtain my paramedics license. Then after I graduate from HVCC I want to continue voluenteering and also hopefully be on the EMS staff (as a paid member)....But anyway back on track....

     I've been doing alot of thinking (that was prompted by my mom and guidance conselor) about why I want to go further in to the "field" of firefighting and EMS....And I knew why....It's not because I like to break things,the sirens or the lights. It's because I know when I hear the whistle cryin out and I hear the call tones go across and the crackle of the static electricity comeing over and then hear the disbatcher giving out the necessary information and calling the company to service. I know gettin in that engine (and or truck which ever you prefer) that I am going to help someone whether it be because they're injured or their home is in flames. I know in some way I am helping them.

   In knowing this, I still felt as if I were missing something.Missing part of my answer.But I wasn't sure what I was missing....And until I heard this song I couldn't put my finger on it. But once this song was over and I had intently listened to the lyrics, I found my answer.....

These are the lyrics....

"You Don't Count the Cost"

By: Billy Dean

"It happens to a mother
when she is giving birth
Her heart is filled with joy
While her body's filled with hurt
She holds the baby close to her
Despite the pain he caused
When it comes to love, you don't count the cost

It happens to a soldier
Fighting for his home
Fear wells up inside him
And yet he still goes on
Even though he knows
He may be the next to fall
When it comes to love, you don't count the cost

You don't count the heartache
You don't count the sacrifice
All that counts is what you feel inside
It doesn't really matter what is gained or what is lost
When it comes to love, you don't count the cost

It happens all around us
Each and every day
Someone's giving all they got
For someone else's sake
If you ever doubt it
Just think about the cross
When it comes to love, you don't count the cost

You don't count the heartache
You don't count the sacrifice
All that counts is what you feel inside
It doesn't really matter what is gained or what is lost
When it comes to love, you don't count the cost
No"

     Now some may be looking at thoes lyrics going..."What does that have to do with firefighting or EMS"... and my answer to that is.....

     The Chorus is what catches my atettion....

"You don't count the heartache
You don't count the sacrifice
All that counts is what you feel inside
It doesn't really matter what is gained or what is lost
When it comes to love, you don't count the cost"

To me that says alot....A true firefighter and or paramedic at heart (whether you are one or an asirpiring one) know that you give up alot and you're okay with that....You make the sacrifice....You give up your time, your personal time and family time. You give up meals and put them off until later because there's a call...You may be headed to the bathroom but you turn and run the other way because someone needs you. You give up sleep because someone needs you, even though it means you're going to be really tired the next day for work. You give up all of this and so much more. BGut you'e okay with it. You're not afraid to make these sacrifices...You know when the disbatcher comes across your pager disbatching your company that where you are headed and what you may see my cause heartache but you know that everything you do there can help. So you put that pain aside and do what needs to be done. Not only may there be heartach caused from the call but there also may be heartache because you are missing something important. Like a son, daughter, cousin, niece or nephew's baseball or soccer game, or a dance rectial or a concert. But you put that heartache behind you and do what you need to do, no matter how hard it is. You don't pay attetion (I mean I'm sure you do but you know what I mean) to thoes things....A true firefighter and or EMS personnel doesn't count the cost!

    And as I was saying this song helped me clear things up because it got me thinking about myself, and helped me to see that yes at seventeen I don't have a whole lot to give up compared to adults but I do give alot (of what a seventeen year old has to give up) to help people....And this song just helped me clear that up.

     And I just wanted to share it because I feel it is very true, and a good song for firefighter's and EMS personnel...

     Well I hope this made a little bit of sense and I didn't bore you to much!

Stay safe out there on any and all calls!

God Bless!