Stairclimbs and firefighers...To many we are heroes

I've been blessed with a wonderful career of 31 years in the Fire Department. To many we are as heroes. Are we? Then recently (February 8th, 2012) I had the great privilege to compete in the Empire State Building 'Run Up'. This is the grand daddy of stairclimbs (more than 200 worldwide this year), in one of the most prestigious buildings of the 20th century. What an event, my 11th, and I'm sure not my last. In competing in these kinds of events...again to many we are heroes. I ask, are we?

What I like about both of these...one my occupation and one my recreation...is the preparation that is required in order to become and remain proficient. In my job we are required to maintain skills in so many diverse areas. I find the push to learn more and maintain that proficiency to be waning. Maybe that's to be expected having begun in this field in 1977. But do I have the option to wane while I still remain? Preparation is likewise true with 'stairclimbing'. Though one could, and many do not prepare and go solely for the camaraderie and the 'thrill' of the climb. The camaraderie, with similar tenants to the FD, is amazing. And though many would call it plain fools exhaustion, the 'thrill' is definitely there as well. Yet to compete is to take it one more step (no pun intended) and put forth the necessary preparation to be ready for 'this' event. The added benefit for me is the synergistic effect of being part of both. And the greatest of those benefits is keeping up with those guys some 20 to 30 years my junior.

Rick & Javier (one of the elites)

Yet my question was...are we heroes? Who would not want to be? Sometimes we have been called it so often that we begin to see and feel the pride of being one. I've returned often in the past few months to this passage in the book of Romans. Paul writes in Romans 15 that "we who are strong ought to bear the weakness of those without strength and not just please ourselves." Then Paul gives to us the example of Christ, that though He who was strong, He did not please Himself, but rather He bore our weakness. What heroes these two men are. And they call us to be likewise...a hero...one with strength who carries the weight for those without strength.

He loves the ESB too...

Such is this preparation for...and such is what a hero is made of. Something that is not solely for stairclimbers and firefighters, rather it is for all of us who've been blessed with 'strength'. We all have a friend, family member, neighbor, a brief encounter with someone who is in the midst of 'weakness'. Be prepared, to be their strength! And, to be their hero!

 

 

Confirmation...is good!

In less than 24 hours I have received confirmation from two men with absolutely no connection to one another. The one writes and confirms that what I am currently doing is good, beneficial and providing purpose. The second, a friend from the other coast and whom I have not seen in nearly 10 years, walks up and gives me a hug. He then proceeds to thank me for not being religious. You see when we first met, 30 years ago, he was sure I'd just be the typical religious guy and that there would be no way in...well you know...that he would even like me. He goes on to say, "that you were just a real guy, who loved Jesus". Thanks to both of you gentlemen. I needed that! Don't we all need confirmation now and then? Maybe much more now than then! Think about it. And...don't forget to say something to that person you've been meaning to say, "oh by the the way". This song has become my song for quite sometime, but especially in recent weeks because of various happenings in life. Perhaps I'll mention those in the next blog. Until then...living life with simplicity (knowing complexity happens), flexibility and availability ~~~

 

 

                                     

Still thinking...What matters?

Still thinking...I do a lot of study and reading on the internet. I've read some blogs, some Facebook, some...whatever. What is my place within this area that has been dubbed 'cyber space'? I'm still not sure. Guess since no one has read my blog yet...does it really matter? Perhaps that is it. What you say? What matters? What's important? We can really live lives that are fairly superficial. I want a life that matters. A life that is significant. Not well known. Not popular. Yet one that matters and IS significant. Maybe that's what I like about this video that Compassion put out done to the song of 'Dare You To Move' by Switchfoot. "I dare you to move, I dare you to lift yourself up off the floor...like today never happened".

Might that be part of 'what matters'...that we pick ourselves up off the floor and make a difference. Let's move away from the superficial and move in the direction of making 'others' significant.

Good day,

Rick

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Why I hate Christmas...

Strange way to continue this blog after a year since writing the last. Oh well. Here it is.

Why I hate Christmas…
A Christmas without gifts is the best Christmas of all…
All I want for Christmas is an empty Christmas tree…
Christmas as a boy…
How would I change Christmas?
The best gift of all…
What gift could you give to me to make me really happy…


These are just a few of the theme’s flowing through my mind as it continues to be active just after midnight on this Christmas Eve of 2009. Was it just the activity of today that has brought about these thoughts? No, this has been a struggle for quiet some many years. I’ve tried to look at Christmas from a different angle, but I haven’t been very successful. This year was not as bad as years gone by. There have been years when I have been, well, not quiet scrooge, but not a very happy camper none-the-less. Even to the point that my negative attitude gave way to making a sourful season for others. Tonight my wife even asked, “Do you think you could view Christmas differently?” To which I replied, “I don’t think so! I’ve tried and I just haven’t been able to”.

Now, I really don’t hate Christmas. Probably the better and more positive title would be ‘The Best Gift of All’. I don’t know exactly what that ‘best’ gift would be, but simplicity would come right up to the top.

Christmas origin, the christmas tree, mistletoe, presents, lights, Santa Claus or Saint Nicholas, advent celebration…does it really matter. Maybe it has its beginnings with pagan celebrations. I don’t think I care. For me right here, right now in the 21st century, I want to be thankful for God’s gift of Christ birth. Do I need a December 25th for that to take place? No! Some say, “Christ is the reason for the season”. Is Christ the reason for the season? To my recollection I’ve never seen a passage in the bible requesting that we celebrate the birth of Christ. That’s not to say that we can’t or shouldn’t celebrate His birth. Then others say that all the commercialization diminishes the true meaning and purpose of Christmas. Actually, I used to say that and still think it today. Is that what it is diminishing though? Perhaps it diminishes self respect more and adds a greater sense of greed. I don’t know…I don’t want to be a bah humbug or something. I just don’t feel right watching a present being opened, and it no sooner is unwrapped when the person is asking for their next one. And that one becomes unwrapped, sat down on the floor and again the reply of “is there another one”. Until they’re all opened and now that question becomes, “is that all?” Maybe that’s my question as well. Is that all that this day is about?

Each Christmas I try to add a spiritual/scripture component and this year was no different. But as in other years I feel as if it was just something necessary to do in order to pacify grandpa. “I’m glad that’s done”, or “can we unwrap the presents now?” This is not to say that I’m opposed to gifts. On the contrary, anyone who knows me knows that I love to give. Sure as with anyone, at times it hurts. I mean, all of us have given something at times and thought, “Boy I sure would have liked to bought such and such for myself”.

Maybe that’s a real reason to celebrate…what’s that? Acts 20:35 “for it is better to give than to receive”. Can giving and the gift and act of giving really be taught when the greater expectation is to receive…and to receive more?

So, what will Christmas 2010 be like? Will I change my attitude? Maybe, I don’t know! Or, is it possible that we can celebrate differently. What would different look like? I’m not sure, but two things I know…it would be simplified and the emphasis would be on giving and not receiving.

Good night!

Stairclimbs, Trees and dogs

So blog #2...When thinking of blogging, like a journal, there are many things that I would like to write about and hope to add over time. As with so much of life...we are just to busy. We own to much, schedule to much and thus must maintain so much. And then things happen!

So the 'winter blast' occurred throughout the Northwest over a 2 1/2 week period in December 2008. Yes, there was difficult driving, a bunch of stuck vehicles and the other typical findings, but our biggest effect was our Ash tree. Beautiful in the summer with cooling shade. And then in the fall it brought the most spectacular yellow leaves. It found itself a victim of this winter blast. After several hours (over 16 at press time) of cleanup work, I find that I still have many hours remaining. We knew that it was just a matter of time. Now let me make an editorial statement here... I am not one of the "environmental" persuasion, still, I have come to greatly appreciate the creation that God has so blessed us with. Enjoying and respecting the beauty that our Creator has provided is the right thing to do.

This brings us to the dog...Shawnee, seen in the picture above, was our beloved pet for nearly 14 years. Shawnee died. likely from heart failure, Sunday January 4th, 2009. Many of you who read this who are BIG pet lovers will not even question the following, but I must admit it took me by surprise. You see, I never knew just how attached one becomes to a pet. Karen and I have laughed, cried and enjoyed the stories remembering this little furball. I used the term of endearment meatball for her. She will be greatly missed. Again, a wonderful part of the creation God has blessed us with. So it seemed appropriate that our little dog be buried in the whole that the tree had so left us. Not to be enshrined, but definitely to be remembered.

And lastly 'Stairclimbs'. At it again. With a team of currently 8 firefighters we will climb in the American Lung Associations 'Scale the Strat'. That is the Stratosphere in Las Vegas, Nevada. Support if you wish be clicking unto our 'Firefighers Web' team at www.mrsnv.com/evt/e01/evtteamslist.jsp?id=2348. Then in March another Firefighter Stairclimb up the Columbia Center in Seattle, Washington. You can view that website and/or sponsor at: www.llswa.org/site/TR/Events/General?px=1080561&pg=personal&fr_id=1060.

So, that's all for blog 002. Perhaps when 003 comes along, life will be a bit less complicated. I can only hope.

God's blessing on you as you enjoy His wonderful creation.

Rick

Go Vertical Chicago

So a blogging we go. This is a first for me...blogging that is. So what a way to begin the second 50 years of life...a stairclimb up the Sears Tower, 103 floors, 2109 steps, raising funds for cancer research, in honor of my mother Liz, step-mom Ione, the most recent Dale 'Buzzard' Price and 14 others. This was the third stairclimb for me. The other two were both at the largest Firefighter competition in the world, the Firefighter Stairclimb up the Columbia Center in Seattle. With full turnouts, wearing an SCBA while breathing air, you climb 69 stories. Wow! It is an amazing experience. Karen, my wife and I spent four wonderful days in Chicago, visiting the Shedd Aquarium, a dance show, walk around the city, a Chicago Bears Football game (for me), and a journey (in an elevator) up to the Skydeck of the Sears Tower. Staying at the Majestic Hotel added to a very enjoyable stay in the city. Well, I think that is sufficient for this first time blogger. We'll see if this becomes a regular happening, and occasional event, or perhaps the only time. Signing off for now. Rick