Thursday, January 26, 2012

Going up

Two evenings ago a large pole shed went up in flames just a couple miles from where we live. I saw the billows of black smoke just off to the south of the highway as I drove home from work. A brief glance through the trees gave the hint of an intense fire. We found out through Facebook just an hour later that it belonged to a neighbor of someone who goes to our church. According to the newspaper report, the fire started in a car that someone was repairing. The shed was fully engulfed by the time the fire trucks arrived, so they focused on saving the nearby house and keeping the (full) 500 gallon propane tank that was behind the shed from exploding (apparently it did get hot enough to vent some gas, which promptly combusted). Everything in the shed was lost, which included vehicles and yard equipment. Fortunately no one was injured.

I read another FB posting today of a spaghetti dinner benefit for a man whole lost his entire home and a dog to a fire last fall.

Things can change quickly. I hope the family's neighborhood, friends and church (if applicable) show support in some way. Insurance can help replace the stuff; a more personal touch is needed to help with the emotional aftermath.

2 comments:

  1. I've also been thinking about this lately - how quickly things can change. Sometimes it is one's perspective that can change quickly, independent of external circumstance like a fire or accident. This past Saturday I served with our small group at a food pantry and for 4 hours people walked through filling up their grocery carts full of food that they wouldn't have otherwise been able to afford. My perspective was adjusted quickly that morning - it's easy to get lulled into thinking about yourself and the small sphere of our own lives...it's easy to forget about the people who are out there just trying to get a meal on the table that day.

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  2. That's a good point, and a great example. One of the things I find challenging about "wow" moments is that I tend to become inured to them after repeated exposure and/or they fade under the glare of everyday life. It takes some effort to retain them.

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