Fireman Jitters

I took Allison and Carter to a special storytime at the library the other day. They had fireman from the neighboring firehouse come to tell stories. Allison and Carter loved the dragon puppet they used to read one of the books. After the stories they had half of the group stay to watch a fireman get into all his gear, while the other half went out to take a tour of the fire engine. Allison was sitting on the front row watching the fireman get dressed - and a friend of mine who was sitting next to me leaned over and told me Allison looked very concerned. Sure enough her eyes were wide and her lip started to quiver. As the fireman finished putting on his mask and helmet thingy - she burst into tears. I didn't realize how scary a fireman all dressed up could look! Now I know why they like to get into their gear in front of the kids . . . so they're not afraid of firemen. Anyway - she started to cry and ran over to me. But through the tears she wanted to go back and give the fireman a high five like he was giving to the other kids. So while crying - tears down her face - she went back to the fireman and gave him a high five. Then she came back to me . . . but still crying wanted to go tell the fireman goodbye. So she went back and said goodbye. Then still upset she wanted to check out fireman books before we went out to see the fire engine. It was such an interesting thing to watch. She was so afraid . . . yet wanted to go back and 'confront' her fear . . . so to speak. She was so insistent on going back to give a high five . . . she's a brave girl!