Fire

Last night I ran to the store for some milk.  As I turned on my street heading home, I was shocked to see fire trucks, flashing lights and firemen. I was instantly concerned for our friends and neighbors in the building next to ours. You could smell electricity in the air and a hint of smoke. The power was out in the two buildings down from us. A moving truck had hit the power lines and caused a power surge, and hot spots broke out in the apartments. Thankfully everyone was safe. 

One of the apartments in the basement started flooding because their water heater was the direction that the electricity went needing to be grounded. Yikes! They were going to be moving today anyway, so their house was full of boxes. Almost immediately the Elder's quorum was in action. Moving all of their possessions out. While they were moving things out smoke started coming from the basement ceiling and raising quickly through the upstairs floor. The men continued to work as quickly as possible (some wonderful women too). 

I got nervous watching as the smoke started pouring out of the doors. Especially when I watched, Scott and a few others continue to pull out things from the apartments entering the smoke until the firemen wouldn't allow them back in. Luckily, the firemen were able to contain the movement of the fires and nothing was really burned. But the apartments were torn apart.  

As I watched the acceleration of the smoke billowing out, I wondered if we were in danger of being evacuated. I thought quickly about what I would take. My first thoughts were only of Anne and Scott. Nothing mattered more to me than their safety. Then I thought of things that Anne would need, blankets a few clothes. Then I thought of our computer that is filled with pictures, then my journals. What would you take? 

In a way I felt completely helpless. It was really cold outside and Anne was ready for bed. I sat in my house rocking her to sleep while Scott and a few others brought in some of our neighbor's important possessions: family pictures and computer towers. I so badly wanted to go out and hug my neighbors while they watched from the church across they street. How would I feel if it was my apartment going up in smoke?Would I cry? But I had to stay and care for my baby while everything was moving outside. 

 It made me very grateful for several things. One was for the organization of the church. In minutes the men in our ward were gathered, large trucks and trailers assembled to help move our neighbors out of their apartment. These everyday dads and men you see at church became heros.  At one point during the night I looked out my window and saw a band of these men marching forward together with purposeful expressions on their faces. The elders quorum pres. in the front, as if leading them to battle. In my mind I pictured him leading them to battle sword in hand, the title of liberty waving, prepared to protect the families and homes of our ward.  Yes, I am a little dramatic, but seeing this brought tears to my eyes. It made me grateful for the priesthood brethren and for their heroics of everyday life. I saw these simple wonderful men taking care of a crisis with dedication, smiles on their faces and a willingness to do all that was required.  

It made me want to thank my hero, my own strippling warrior for the small and the large things he does for us daily. Things like waking up early to scrape everyone's sidewalks and dust them with ice melt, for getting ready in the morning with only the bathroom light glowing into our room so I can still sleep, for eating a bowl of oatmeal nearly every morning because he doesn't want to wake me knowing I was up with the baby; for taking out the garbage, putting gas in the car, and loving me. 

Also, I was grateful for the women who I knew were inside the church caring for the families now without homes. Beautiful! 

I was also grateful for skilled firemen and others who helped.  They were great! And now I am grateful for the experience, the emotions, gratitude, and etc. 

When Scott finally came in, after it was finished, around midnight, he was tired but so happy to have served. He continued his thoughtfulness about me; knowing that I am definitely a worrier, he made sure that I was okay before he threw his smoky clothes into the washer and got ready for bed. WOW!! We are all so blessed. What a sad night but good at the same time. We have much to be grateful for! Our prayers and thoughts to go our friends who have lost their home and some of their things to smoke damage. We are so glad that you are safe!