While we have time, let us do good…

Pumpkins and pilgrims decorate our yard, placed there by the woman
who loves this season the most. Leaves have begun to change hue;
some have separated from their boughs allowing them to float free and
scatter across my yard. The breeze is brisk, the sun sets early…
it is the season of Thanksgiving.

During November, one of my friends posts daily categories on social
media of ‘things for which we are thankful’. Brandie and her children
alternate in choosing a category, and then they each name something
in that category for which they are thankful. One day last week the
category was vegetables. Troy was thankful for potatoes, Laura for
corn, Koby for pickles, and Brandie for spinach. Since it is that time of
year, I’ll add yams, for which I am thankful.

Recently, I attended my friend Chris’ wedding. We arrived early
and found seats halfway back, not close enough to read the ministers
lips, but centrally located to get a good view of the procession. Being
deaf (and locationally challenged), I exempted myself from too much
concentration on the minister’s message, the vows, or the processional
music. That being the case, it took approximately thirty-six seconds
after the service began for my mind to begin to wander.

The wandering began as Chris escorted his mother to her seat with his
dad, Mark, following behind. They looked appropriately fabulous on
this special day, but what was going through my mind as they made
their way down the aisle was that Mark must be doubly proud today.
Not only had Chris proposed to wonderful woman, but he had also
followed in his father’s footsteps and had become a firefighter. I
thought of Chris and how his enthusiasm and humor radiated to others
when we worked together a few years ago. It occurred to me that he
would likely be successful in whatever field he might choose.

But in my heart, I felt gratitude for his service as a firefighter. We are
all living safer lives because of the service of Chris, and Mark, who
set an example for this young man to follow.

Today I am thankful for Chris and Mark Smith and for their faithful service.

Twenty-one years, two months, and four days ago, 2,996 casualties were
reported during the 9/11 attacks.

Steven was one of the 2,996. His life would have fit in with ours. He was
not a famous man. He could shop in the local market without drawing
the attention of other shoppers.

Steven was a husband, a father, a son, a brother.

On the morning of September 11, 2001, Steven had left his shift as a
firefighter with Brooklyn’s Squad One. As was his habit, he was
listening to his scanner as he drove toward the course to play a
round of golf with his brothers. When the news of a plane hitting the
North Tower of the World Trade Center came across the scanner,
Steven called home and asked his wife to contact his brothers and tell
them that he would have to catch up with them later. He turned his
truck around and headed back to Squad One to retrieve his firefighting
gear. He then headed toward the World Trade Center.

Upon reaching Brooklyn’s Battery Tunnel, Steven found that access had
been closed. He parked, strapped approximately sixty pounds of
firefighting equipment to his back and raced through the tunnel on foot
to the Twin Towers. His surviving team members report that when
Steven arrived, he successfully completed one trip through the South
Tower assisting workers to safety. He then re-entered the South Tower
to continue the rescue process but perished when that tower collapsed.

Steven’s life was filled with many of the same joys and challenges that all
husbands, fathers, sons, and brothers encounter as we make our way.
But Steven also dedicated his life to St. Francis of Assisi’s philosophy that
“while we have time, let us do good.”

Today I am thankful for Steven Siller’s inspirational life and the good
that he did in his time on earth.

A few weeks ago on a Saturday, I arose before the sun, and headed to
the Fort Worth edition of the Tunnels to Towers fundraising 5K Run.
My friend, Winky Hix organizes this event each year to honor the life of
Steven Siller and to raise funds for the appropriately named Tunnel to
Towers Foundation. That foundation provides housing for families of first
responder’s who have given their lives in service.

The venue was packed. Although my responsibility was nothing more
than handing out T-shirts to runners, I was happy and humbled to be a
part of this event…and, I was not alone.

The mayor came out to participate in the 5K, members of the city council
were there, ROTC units from local colleges were present, the members
of the firefighter’s academy and police cadets came out. Paramedics,
police officers, firefighters…they were all in attendance.

Men and women much like us: mothers, wives, daughters, sisters,
fathers, husbands, sons, and brothers. Our neighbors,
fellow church members, and classmates living lives that mirror
ours with that one major exception;
they are first responders…our first call in times of trouble…

Today I am thankful for my friend, retired police officer, Winky Hix,
whose efforts allow us all to remember the life of Steven Siller
and to honor his sisters and brothers in uniform who have been
the first to respond in our times of need.

So, I think I’ll name my own category…First responders.

I am grateful for Chris.
I am grateful for Mark.
I am grateful for Steven.
I am grateful for Winky.

And as it is sometimes said in Texas…
I am grateful to ‘all of y’all’
…who wake up every day and put on the uniform of the first responder.

I am thankful for all of you who…while you have time, are endeavoring
to do good.

My heartfelt thank you to all of you and may God bless you!

Happy Thanksgiving and thanks for listening!

Your friend,

KBM

Kevin Medlin
kevin@mysilentpew.com