Today I am reminded of a little kid who wants to be a fireman so the local fire station arranges for him to come in for the afternoon and be an honorary fireman. Pictures are taken of him sliding down the pole, sitting behind the the wheel of the pumper wearing a real firefighter’s hat, and one of our little kid with his tiny hands wrapped around a hose, posing wearing a hat and boots. It’s all big fun, but he’s just there for the thrill of hanging out at the station with the real firefighters, for the photo opportunities, and for bragging rights and story-telling with his friends later.

But then the real firefighters leave the station, tossing him the keys on their way out.