The Nest

Credit CREDIT KATE WELLS Michigan firefighters came in from across the state to rally in Lansing, trying to force lawmakers to finally put some actual money in the First Responder's Fund.It doesn't seem like it should be that hard, since the Legislature created that fund more than a year ago to cover firefighters who get job-related cancer.More than half of all states already have something similar. But Michigan lawmakers never got around to putting any money in the fund they created. Since then, 8 active-duty firefighters have been diagnosed with cancer, according to the state union. One of them passed away just...

Happy Memorial Day!

Once the glamour wears off, and reality sets in, it's not for everyone. You have to be able to deal with the long hours away from home, the midnight pager wakeup calls and the reality that your spouse may not come home from a shift or a call. Facebook fans were asked to share some struggles they've encountered in their firefighter marriages. Read the responses below. And remember, as tough as it is, spouse support means everything. Trust as a female firefighter in a new relationship. It’s hard to explain to the new boyfriend the closeness between me and my fellow...

by Lisa Wilson I have had the experience of being married before to a “regular” hubby and we went about our daily business as two individuals who did their own thing, loved each other and co-habited. Until we didn’t. I am grateful every day that we didn’t make it because I adore being married to my boy in blue. Being married to a police officer is totally different than being married to a regular Joe. It is a responsibility, a burden and an honor/blessing for those of you who are religious. It is often thankless. It throws up challenges and has...

by Anne Gagliano What does it take to be a good father?  Words elude me on this topic, for I am not a father but a mother.  I will, instead, quote my son, for who better to define a good father than the child of one? In our family, we have established a wonderful tradition with our sons: When we give each other a book (we are all avid readers), the giver must sign the book with a personal note.  This gesture turns an ordinary gift into a memorable keepsake.  On Father’s Day 2007, our son wrote these words in...