Today is National First Responders Day.

A few years ago when my son was still in high school we asked him what he wanted to study, and he responded that he wanted to major in fire protection service, which he did upon graduation. Prior to that he joined our local volunteer fire department as what they call an explorer where teenagers can get an introduction to fire fighting as well as age appropriate training. He went on to be an EMT and to train as an ambulance driver which needed a special license.

In addition to continuing as a volunteer fire fighter, my son is also a 9-1-1 dispatcher.

On every visit to a hands-on/children’s museum, he would make a beeline to the dress up space, grab the boots and fire coat, and head over to the fire truck. Every time.

When he dressed up as a fire fighter and even slept in his fire coat, we thought it was a typical preschool phase, but he surprised us with his choice and has stuck with his five year old self’s dream.

Don’t give up; keep working and you will discover something you love to do.