I was disabused of the idea that time-hallowed, sacrifice-based Tradition is adverse to the authentically human experience a long time ago.
Early on 24 December 2012, I found myself in a remote area. Spotty cell service. No internet. Then, out of nowhere, one text came through:
“Firefighters shot. Monroe County, NY.”
I spent the next half hour trying to establish reliable service, to confirm this news. When I did, I went right to the station.
A nineteen year-old Firefighter/EMT (who was…