| "Good afternoon, Charlie, welcome to Bart's | | | | underwear and sewed fire on them. I know why, |
| House Party!" | | | | too! She always says that daddy is cool so I |
| Charlie blushed revealing his obvious | | | | guess she thinks he needs the fire to keep warm |
| embarrassment. "Hi!" | | | | ... she's so silly!" |
| "You know why you're here, right? This is National | | | | Bart was doing his best not to burst out laughing |
| Firefighter's Week and from what I understand, | | | | as he continued the interview. |
| your daddy is a firefighter." | | | | "Why is your mommy silly?" |
| The studio audience was immediately captivated | | | | Charlie just looked at Bart for a moment with |
| by this adorable 4-year old on center stage. | | | | one of those looks. "She thinks putting fire on his |
| "So, Charlie, tell me. What do you like best about | | | | underwear is going to keep him warm! See what |
| your dad being a firefighter?" | | | | I mean?" |
| Charlie squirmed in his child-sized chair, shaking his | | | | "I do! Does your daddy wear the fire on his |
| head while giggling ... "I can't tell you." | | | | underwear in the summer, too?" |
| Children like Charlie were why Bart's House Party | | | | Charlie sighed deeply, "Of course! We have air |
| was the most popular weekly family show. Bart | | | | conditioning! But, mommy doesn't know that |
| took Charlie's response as a queue to ask another | | | | daddy isn't really cold ... he's COOL! There's a big |
| question. | | | | difference, you know!" |
| "Well, if you can't tell me that, let me ask you | | | | "Oh? And, what's the difference between being |
| another question. What makes your dad's job as | | | | cold and being COOL?" |
| a firefighter so funny?" | | | | As the camera zoomed in on Charlie, it was |
| Although the studio filled with laughter, his parents | | | | obvious he was now enjoying all the attention! |
| were getting a bit nervous not knowing what was | | | | "You know! Being COOL is when you're like my |
| he might say. | | | | daddy who helps people and puts out fires and |
| Charlie had a keen eye for details, even at his | | | | rides in a fire truck. Being cold is when you're |
| young age. Pointing to Bart's tie, it appeared he | | | | outside in the snow!" |
| tried to change the subject. | | | | The applause was nearly deafening as Bart |
| "I like your tie. My dad has some stuff with fire | | | | walked toward the audience. "Ladies and |
| on it, too!" | | | | Gentlemen, please meet Charlie's dad, the 'cool' |
| With a surprised look, Bart continued his interview. | | | | firefighter!" |
| "Oh? Does your dad have something with fire on | | | | With the spotlight on Charlie's parents Bart |
| it?" | | | | escorted his parents to take their place on stage |
| "Yep!" | | | | by Charlie. |
| "Well, Charlie, can you tell me? What does your | | | | "Tell me, mom, what about it? Is Charlie right? |
| dad have with fire on it?" | | | | Why do you put fire on your husband's |
| Charlie's dad was a local hero. This particular year | | | | underwear?" |
| had been an especially difficult one as he nearly | | | | Obviously blushing, she carefully chose her words. |
| lost his life more than once in daring rescues. | | | | "I'm so embarrassed! I never thought he would |
| Charlie's mom had always made it her goal to | | | | tell our secret. But the little flames I put on my |
| keep life at home light and fun, saving her prayers | | | | husband's underwear are a reminder to him that |
| and tears for the midnight hour when all were | | | | my love for him will never grow cold." |
| asleep. She never wanted Charlie or husband to | | | | The audience's standing ovation made it clear that |
| know of her ongoing battle to trust God for his | | | | little Charlie was a star that day. Charlie's mom |
| safe return after every fire. | | | | was presented with a beautiful bouquet of roses |
| Charlie motioned for Bart to come closer to him. | | | | as his dad was awarded the "Firefighter of the |
| Bart leaned down as he began to whisper in his | | | | Year Award" by Bart's House Party! |
| ear, careful to hold the microphone so he could be | | | | Not many years later Charlie followed in his dad's |
| easily heard. | | | | footsteps as a firefighter. His wife continued the |
| "My dad's underwear has fire on it." | | | | family tradition of sewing flames on the waistband |
| Charlie leaned back in his seat with a newfound | | | | of her husband's underwear as a reminder that |
| boldness. No longer intimidated, this little | | | | her love for him never grows cold. |
| tale-bearer began to unveil his childlike insight. | | | | It's true ... "Kids will say the darnedest things! |
| "I saw mommy do it. She bought daddy new | | | | |