We’ve all had a rough go of it, haven’t we? James and I agree, that in our lifetime we’ve never seen a Summer like the one we’ve had this year. And the fires...it’s like something straight out of a Sci-Fi show...but it’s real...and it’s here.
I told a friend of mine that in a lifetime, there are those events...so strongly impactful, so traumatic and unusual...that their very anniversary fills us with dread and causes the stomach to knot up. This fiery drought of 2023 will, no doubt, become one of those dreadful events.
If we never appreciated rain before, we certainly do now. The other day, a brief shower (the first, in six weeks) barely dampened the parking lot at Brooks General Store. Sitting in the truck, I smiled as I heard Mr. David Brooks holler ‘Whooweee!!’, in celebration, and watched Brandi emerge from the doors with her arms stretched upwards; welcoming those droplets of long awaited water. Shortly after, my daughter was calling me on the phone. ‘Mama, it’s raining!!’. Now y’all KNOW it’s bad, when the young folks get excited over a rain. Usually it’s only us older folks whose pulse rises over ‘weather talk’.
Wanna turn a cusser into a praiser in less than five minutes? Be scalding hot for nearly two months, and then watch it rain. I promise you, it’ll work, every time. James and I were on the warpath about something (I don’t even remember what), and then it started to sprinkle. All of a sudden, we became nicer people. The Lord knew what He was doing, when He invented Baptism, y’all.
Yes, we appreciate rain as we never have before. We appreciate firemen like never before too. Imagine the heat, the fatigue, and the stress. Imagine not only what they are enduring, but their worried families at home, as they’re repeatedly called to another fire.
No, we will not forget this Summer of ‘23. A part of us will dread when the new Spring arrives, for fear of another harsh and brutal Summer. There has been loss; of this, there is no denial. But we must focus on what has been gained. Whether it’s the momentary restoration of happiness through a small shower, or an appreciation...a heartfelt thankfulness..for emergency personnel; those who work countless hours in dire conditions (many, whom are volunteers), to protect our communities and lives.
Hang in there, y’all. We’ll be leaving the water to drip and wrapping the pipes before you know it.
