by Peggy Sweeney
The Sweeney Alliance
Journeys Through Grief Newsletters, Editor

Over the years, I have been very fortunate to not only teach firefighters but many of their wives or partners as well. When I would ask them for comments, questions, or feedback, I usually got little or no response. Understandably! Wives or partners are very reluctant to talk in front of their spouses about their feelings, their fears, or what is in their hearts. Many spouses wonder why the warm, loving, and carefree person they married does not come home like that anymore.

I will cut to the chase and tell you that I know what many of you fear: that your spouse or partner may be struggling mentally and emotionally with the traumas of their job. You realize that what they see, hear, taste, and feel on a recurring basis is beginning to play a major role in how they view life, living, and their job. When the call goes well, life is good! When their best efforts to save a life or protect property from ruin do not end positively, it is a BAD DAY! Read more....