Part III: tribute to lost fire-fighters (fictional 9-11 story)

Part III of the 9-11 Saga: Tribute to Fallen Fire Fighters

Mike and his dad returned to the apartment and flipped on the television, instantly seeing the horror of what the planes had done: two distinct columns of smoke rising into the sky, and floors burning in the middle of the Twin Towers.

Presumably on duty, his fire-fighter brother Patrick did not answer his cell phone, but Mike was soon paged to return to his unit immediately. Every first-responder mobilized in those early hours of the 9-11 tragedy, many commuted into the city as thousands fled.

He didn’t like leaving his aged father Jim O'Keafe alone in front of the television, worrying about his beloved son in the city and his other one heading toward the call of duty; but during the drive into Manhattan, Michael O’Keafe continued to ponder the nature of duty, family, and his upbringing. Having spent the morning on the lake contemplatively, it wasn’t difficult to consider the strange reality that he was probably closer to his work colleagues through their bond of a shared mission, than he was to his own family? He knew it in his gut.

Already anguished with interior conflict, the snarled traffic only increased the anxiety. During these thoughts, out of love and concern for his brother Patrick O’Keafe; he wondered what makes one human being head into an inferno, despite the danger, in order to save another, even one whom he hasn’t met?

His head throbbed uncontrollably, and with visceral churning Mike felt the natural effects of both internal and external chaos. He sensed the demise in the gloomy sky in front of him, light obliterated. The smoke's murkiness thickened into nightfall the closer he drove into Manhattan.

He pictured Patrick leading his company into a World Trade Center Tower in order to battle the asymmetrical threat of a raging fire. How does a single individual fight something as large as a commercial structure engulfed in flames?

Again he thought about art school, painting, and living by the Pacific instead of Manhattan, as well as the split-second judgment required to avoid fire-fighting catastrophe. Two different worlds balanced in his subconscious.

If  “purpose” is the eternal condition for success, how many fire-fighters actually feel the calling or purpose of their work, especially as they venture headlong into danger, even the kind of which might jeopardize their lives?

©Mark H. Pillsbury

[Part One posted September 10, 2011, see previous posts...]

Everyone Plays a Part

An automobile is merely a platform, or chassis; rolling on two axles, connected to the wheels. Tires move by efforts of an engine, and the compartment is surrounded by parts. Thousands of parts; all bolted, screwed, or glued together at natural divisions like the hood, doors, and trunk.

More than a bucket of bolts, this progressive symphony of mechanical pieces fueled by abundant petroleum is as fragile and complex as the humans it transports. This appliance dominates the landscape of Houston and courses through its network of roads like blood through arteries.

Driving is a metaphor for living: mechanism makes movement, transportation offers independence, speed begets time, structure shows status, roads give connectivity, and gasoline is the fuel for the journey.

Auto bodies project status as a mobile dwelling just like our homes; the sheet metal and shiny chrome an extension of the clothes we wear. Cell phones give personal connectivity the way cars take us from one opportunity to the next. Ubiquitous gasoline pumps are like grocery stores for our vehicles. Automobility impacts the economy like few other engines.

Over 20 million vehicles cruise the roadways in Texas, and it is estimated that 20% aren’t registered with the state. One in every four is a pick ‘em up truck, a Texas institution considering the state’s agricultural job base.

 

The automobile made me think about machines, which don’t generally come equipped with extra parts (except maybe a spare tire, but I digress). Machines arrive with the essential pieces working perfectly. If the world can be compared to machinery, then there are no “spare parts.” You are a unique part of the world, not an auxiliary piece the world can get-by without. Each of us is made by God for an important purpose. Nobody should believe that they are essentially worthless or unimportant.

Sometimes a part must be replaced or released, allowing additional pieces to plug into their role; often, there are complicated circumstances that require special components or people. However, the world runs largely because the steady, consistent, central, measured, necessary, crucial pieces of a system function reliably, day after day, year in, year out. This interconnected world rolls-on because the sum of all the parts. Each one executes their mission every day; no matter how small the role, everyone plays a part.

©Mark H. Pillsbury

Mirrored Majesty (from Psalm 8)

http://tiny.cc/1nsr2

This sermon was preached in Houston on July 24, 2011:
It was a profound moment. We all search for significance, and we have it in the fact that we were created by God, for a special purpose.

That purpose might be elusive to those who actually seek it, however, it is no less true.

And we can be at peace with all men, even the ones we do not like or with whom we disagree, b/c they too were created with the care and love of their creator, giving them immense dignity.

This 20 min. can change your life... Best always,

MHP