The bravest man I know

The last time i saw Charlie he was smelling of smoke and wearing breathing aparatus and his fire fighter's yellow and black uniform. He had just come out of a building that was a block of five terraced houses, one which was derelict and had caught fire by squatters. With no thought of his own safety and a non judegmental attitude about the area he had rescued a family from the end property. 

Our neighbourhood had been gratetful to Charlie and his crew for several years and appreciated his courage. Little did I know how brave he was.

Charlie was taken in the ambulance to the local emerency room where we learned that his lungs were like a sponge. Cancer had spread and gave him hours to live after the last time I saw him. Friends and family gathered in the church for his funeral. A clebration of a brave and dedicated man.

It was indeed the last time I saw Charlie.