Dear Grandfather
Dear Grandfather,
I know it's been awhile since I have last written to you, but things around here have been quite hectic. There have been some very severe brushfires in the county. After working the past 36 hours, our station has finally been released from duty. I am happy to say the fires are now fully contained.
I've settled into a good life here in LA I recently moved into a new apartment. Thanks to a recent pay increase I was able to find a bigger place. It has two bedrooms, so if you ever decide to come for a visit…you have a place to stay.
Thinking back on some of the conversations we had when I was growing up, I am reminded of them now. I often asked you how I would know what my purpose in life was. You always told me that one day, I would figure it out for myself. Well Grandfather, I know now what my purpose in life is. Once I became a paramedic, it became very obvious to me. It's to help people in their time of need…to help them when their life may hang in the balance…and it makes me so proud to be able to do so. I admit that the times we AREN'T able to help a person, or a rescue DOESN'T go well, is very hard to accept. So, I try to focus on the people that we DO help, and the rescues that DO turn out well. In fact, just the other day I helped a woman deliver her first child…what a great feeling it is to be able to help bring a life into the world.
I feel very fortunate in my life. While I never forget my roots and the life I led growing up on the reservation, it is my current life that I am so incredibly grateful for. A job I love is only a part of it. I am surrounded by some really amazing people.
My partner Roy and I have become quite the best of friends. While we're nothing alike…opposites in fact, we get along well and work together like the proverbial well-oiled machine. I know sometimes I get on his nerves, but he rarely ever gets upset with me…we seem to really balance each other out. Roy's got a great family. His wife Joanne is a remarkable woman. She reminds me so much of what I remember about Grandmother. He has two kids, Chris and Jennifer. Chris is the spitting image of his father, and is very smart. Jennifer is such a sweetheart and a beautiful little girl. Almost from the first day I met them, they started to call me Uncle Johnny…it makes me feel so good.
After six months of working under Captain Hammer, we now have a new Captain…Hank Stanley. He seems to be a nice enough fellow. He's great out in the field…very calm and even-keeled. The one thing that we all find curious about him though, is that he seems quite paranoid around our new Battalion Chief.
Our Engineer is Mike Stoker. He's very smart but very quiet, although he comes up with some good zingers every now and again. He also makes the best spaghetti and fried chicken.
Marco Lopez is another firefighter on the shift. He's so incredibly good-natured, that it's such a joy to be around him. We recently had a mouse problem at the station…it was Marco who named the mouse Herbert. He's also a terrific cook…makes the best chili casserole.
And lastly…there's Chester B. Kelly…AKA the Phantom. Man…that guy gives me fits. While Mike and Marco are good cooks…Chet's specialty seems to be water bombing my locker. I'm sure he's a good guy, and I have even seen glimpses of that side of him, but I just wish he would lay off the practical jokes.
Well…I have to go back on duty in two days, so I oughta get some sleep. I promise to write again soon, Grandfather. Stay well!
Lovingly your grandson,
Johnny