Recently my family has experienced a great loss.

Jackie Hameister, though not related to me, was another grandmother to me and my family. Her husband, son, grandson, and son-in-law serve on the Crete Fire Department with my father and brother; her son is also my brother's godfather. When we were children, my brother and I along with her two grandsons and another close family friend (also currently a member of the fire department) spent mornings and afternoons during the school year with her. We all grew up together, and though no blood ties us together, we are family.

This past weekend, Gram Jackie was tragically taken in a house fire. As one can guess this is a very traumatic time for her family and friends for multiple reasons; not only have they lost the matriarch of the family, but as firefighters, it was their duty to report to the scene and carry out their jobs.

Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers during this horrible time.

Wayne, CFD- Jackie's husband
Phil, CFD- Jackie's son, my brother's godfather
Daryl, CFD- Jackie's son-in-law
Michael, CFD cadet- Jackie's grandson, my personal friend
Alan, former CFD- Family friend, my father
Scott, CFD- Family friend, my personal friend
David, CFD cadet- Family friend, my brother

And of course, pray for Jackie.

On a final note, I wish to make special note of Michael, Scott, and David. Though death is a horrible experience for anyone, these boys knew her as a grandmother, either in blood or spirit, and carried out their jobs above and beyond expectations in a situation where many grown men would've balked. Scott is 20, Michael is 18, and David is 14. As he is my brother, I feel for David the most. As a cadet on the fire department, this was his first working fire and also his first fatality; many firefighters go entire careers without experiencing a death, and even fewer the death of someone they know personally. Keep him in your thoughts as he works through this life lesson.