The Loss of a Firefighter Made Me Think

My Mom always has the WFMZ news on in the morning.  As I passed through the living room this morning they were talking about bringing home the body of Erik Hirner.   Erik was an 11 year veteran of the Reading Fire Department and a life member of the Charotin Hose Company in North Catasauqua.  


Erik lived in North Catasauqua and was only 38 when he departed this life from injuries sustained when his motorcycle collided with an SUV.  

Today a procession will bring him home and to the Funeral home in Northampton for a viewing Sunday and Memorial Service Monday.  This is a sad time for all Firefighters and his family and friends; and I am sure that so many are asking why.  

This morning I thought about that on my drive in.  I don't know why; but I do know that we should live our life everyday to the fullest that we are able,  because we don't know when our time is up.   

Now, I don't mean that we should live recklessly or party like it is our last.  I always had this dumb way of thinking, if I died tomorrow, how long would the line at my funeral be and how long would my obituary be.  I know it sounds lame but I want to be more than 3 lines that say....Beverly Werner of Catasauqua died peacefully in her sleep leaving behind a son, 3 grandchildren, her partner and her dog.  No, I want it to say Past President of Consistory, choir member, Sunday School Teacher and occasional Blogger.  I want it to go on and on.  I want people to miss me who didn't even know me personally but knew me as "that nice lady who smiled"  "the lady who always said Thank you kind sir" when the door was hold open for her.  

Lately this world has been filled with a lot of hate.  Social media, which for me, was a way to see what was happening with friends and family has turned into a playground for adults insulting each other's politics.  

Twitter has turned into a weapon.  We have the freedom of speech but lets not turn it into the freedom to be stupid.   Where is the love, where did it go.  

As we mourn the loss of this young man, let it help us not to ask why but to ask how we can be better.

and that's another tear in another day in Catasauqua.

Firefighter Erik Hirner 

Procession & Service Information

Procession from Reading

Departing Reading Hospital 

through the city approximate time 1pm - 2pm

VIEWING
Sunday, June 3rd from 6 PM - 8 PM
Schisler Funeral Home
2119 Washington Ave
Northhampton, PA 18067

MEMORIAL SERVICE

Monday, June 4th at 11 AM
A viewing will be held prior to the service

Schisler Funeral Home
2119 Washington Ave
Northhampton, PA 18067