by Shawn Grady
But none birthed greater joy than the sight of Naomi, standing in her spring maternity dress, the fullness of the third trimester ensconcing our child. Sunlight sparkled off the modest engagement diamond and wedding band I’d slipped on her finger three years before.
Her mother stood alongside, new life in her strengthened frame, the last vestiges of sickness far from her countenance. Her father stood proud. By him was Bones, still slight as a flagpole, smiling, arm in arm with his beaming and slightly heavyset fiancée. From the day he first worked up the courage to talk to her in dispatch, they’d become inseparable.
Bookending the lineup, looking ten years younger though four had passed, stood my father. His chin pushed up and chest filled with air – the pathophysiology of pride in his son, and the evidence of life discovered anew.
I felt the small brass pendant that hung outside my gown.
Thank you, Eli.
“Doctor Jonathan Trestle, summa cum laude.”
My row of supporters clapped with exuberance. I strode with confidence, a grin uncontainable in my cheeks. I clasped hands with the present med school director, Dr. Thomas Wheatland. The sun glistened off his copper brow, an approving look in his eyes.
I took in my other hand the passing of a baton, the summation of my work in a paper tube bound with red ribbon.
I supped of that moment, satiated with joy, knowing our lives to be but a breath.
For tomorrow we die.
“If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men.
But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.”
– Paul the apostle
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
To the Logos, God from the beginning, who became flesh and made His dwelling among us.
To my wife, Sarah Beth, for her unceasing support and help. To our children, who light up our home – Daniel, Claire, and Noah.
To my mom, who showed me Jesus from as early as I can remember.
To all my extended family, both near and far, and to my friends, both distant and close-by, for your encouragement and excitement for this book.
To my editor, Karen Schurrer, and the fantastic team at Bethany House Publishers.
To my agent, Janet Grant, for your wisdom.
To Mike Berrier, Katie Cushman, Carrie Padgett, and all my kinsmen in the written word.
To all the underpaid, overworked, and underappreciated paramedics and EMTs out there – God bless and Godspeed in your endeavors.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
SHAWN GRADY has served for more than a decade as a firefighter and paramedic in Reno, Nevada, where he lives with his wife and three children. He was named “Most Promising New Writer” at the 2008 Mount Hermon Writers Conference and is the author of Through the Fire.
Books By Shawn Grady
Through the Fire
Tomorrow We Die
Table of Contents
COVER PAGE
TITLE PAGE
COPYRIGHT PAGE
DEDICATION
CONTENTS
CHAPTER 01
CHAPTER 02
CHAPTER 03
CHAPTER 04
CHAPTER 05
CHAPTER 06
CHAPTER 07
CHAPTER 08
CHAPTER 09
CHAPTER 10
CHAPTER 11
CHAPTER 12
CHAPTER 13
CHAPTER 14
CHAPTER 15
CHAPTER 16
CHAPTER 17
CHAPTER 18
CHAPTER 19
CHAPTER 20
CHAPTER 21
CHAPTER 22
CHAPTER 23
CHAPTER 24
CHAPTER 25
CHAPTER 26
CHAPTER 27
CHAPTER 28
CHAPTER 29
CHAPTER 30
CHAPTER 31
CHAPTER 32
CHAPTER 33
CHAPTER 34
CHAPTER 35
CHAPTER 36
CHAPTER 37
CHAPTER 38
CHAPTER 39
CHAPTER 40
CHAPTER 41
CHAPTER 42
CHAPTER 43
CHAPTER 44
CHAPTER 45
CHAPTER 46
CHAPTER 47
CHAPTER 48
CHAPTER 49
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
