My dad wore the smell of smoke like a business suit.  He was a firefighter.  As he battled the flames that threatened people’s lives, he brought the fumes of his heroism home.

Before his death two years ago, I asked what made him successful through 28 years of service.  I wanted to tuck his expertise into my heart.  You see I also fight fires.

Not the blazing from a building kind.

Instead, I fight the circumstances fueling difficulties kind.  You probably have too.  Our circumstances may differ. But it’s likely our challenges share common ground.

Here’s what I mean.

Dad’s first lesson:  Stay low. That’s where the oxygen is.

I needed that.

In the weeks prior to my father’s passing, I struggled to catch my breath.  Grief has a way of suffocating the soul unless we’re properly resuscitated.

Are you breathing?  Particularly, as you think about who’s in your life or who’s not — or why…

To read more, join me over at fatherswap.com.  I’m honored to be the guest writer on Kia Stephens’ blog this week. Thanks Kia!