Tag Archives: Jack Wines

I've been in a dark place following my brother's death two weeks ago and my boots continue to consume my thoughts. You can tell by just the few examples I gave above that we have many options (or choices) when it comes to our boots. One of the biggest however is the one I didn't mention and the same one I'm facing now ... knowing when (and how) to put them back on or to just hang them up.

My life has revolved around "the job". It's what I was taught and all I've known. A lot of times (most times actually), my Fire Department family came first because my home family "understood". They were or should have been as strong and tough as me (or so I thought). They (the home family), could and would "do without" certain things knowing that I was somewhere else because that's where I thought I was needed most. Today I know I'm not near as smart or tough as I thought I was and that I was more often than not in the wrong place.

Willie's only brother, John Charles "Jack" Wines, died this past weekend at the age of 41. Jack is the son of Retired Firefighter Willie Wines Sr. I have been with Willie over the past couple of days and he is maintaining.

Well, 4 day is over and it’s back to the ol grind stone at Lucky #13. This last break BLEW by and I mean that literally. The winds have been between 40-50 mph this week! I’ve already lost one barn to the winds this winter and I’m shocked I didn’t loose another. The Buckaroo and I have managed to keep ...