What do they miss? They miss meals They miss sleep They miss play They miss family events They miss good times They miss things that only happen once They miss many moments throughout the day they miss these things for you They miss these things because they care They miss these things because it's what they do What do they do? The fight fires They rescue you They sometimes burn for you They sometimes die for you or for helping you They tear away at medal, to get you out They climb, crawl, swim, and search for you They breathe for you until you can They hear the littlest, quietest "help me" or "over here" They see your shadow, or feel your body in the blackest, smokiest room They go to every call you place They try there hardest to keep your home from burning They try there hardest to save you They care for you They save your friends They save your family Who are they? They're volunteers They're a helping hand They're your only hope at certain times They're there when you need them They're Firefighters They're my prayers They should be yours too They're my family and my closest friends So pray for them, as I do For one day they may do all this for you

Author: Janelle Bates, a firefighters girlfriend