You Can't Burn Memories

It's inconceivable to believe that Mark and Brenda's home is gone. All that is standing of the home is their fireplace. I have many happy memories in their home. Annually sitting on the fireplace during many a middle school volunteer Christmas party. Usually it was blocked by the many white elephant gifts we were to exchange. I remember the time Suzanne mistook a fuzzy steering wheel cover for a headband. The year Ian brought the box of plastic doll hands. We always, always made sure we hid at least one of the gifts in their house for them to find later. It was a wonderful tradition. I cannot remember laughing harder than in their home.

Though confusing at first the way to their home eventually became very natural. I remember the "one" time we tried to take the church shuttle there and got lost. I remember Kimber and Kelsey strategically placed on the street with lanterns and flashlights to guide our way.

The most important thing I remember about their home is their hospitality, warmth and evident love for God. They always made you feel at home and very important.

The fire has destroyed their home. All the nooks and crannies where we hid the white elephant gifts are gone. The fire cannot take away the memories - of which there are many.

Thoughts on the San Diego Fires

There are some memories you can't get out of your head. The memory of the 2003 Cedar fire and its devastation. The uncertainty when evacuating. The thick smoke everywhere. The smell. Returning home to see how close the fire came. I remember vividly the week following with ash everywhere - every new wind blowing it up and making your heart stop wondering if another fire had started. Our kids wondering if the air would be clear enough to trick-or-treat. It was the largest in California's history. We were comforted with the thought that surely this would never happen again and destroy so many homes.

Now four years later we are in Houston. We watch on the internet eerily similar scenes. Talking with family and remembering those feelings of the sheer overwhelming magnitude of it all. Many more homes destroyed. Thankfully, fewer lives lost. We feel the hearbreak of hearing a friends home burnt to the ground and wish we were there to give a hug.

I don't know what it feels like to lose everything. I do know the anticipation of wondering if there is a home to return to when we evacuated from Rita. I also know the amazing way people can meet other's needs in times of crisis as we saw here in Houston during Katrina.

Memories, even tragic ones, shape us and mold us into who God created us to be. Catastrophic events can help us focus on what is really important - people. Things can be replaced. Memories and people are irreplaceable. Hang in there San Diego - you have great people and a greater God.

My First Day Back to Work

After four years of semi retirement, I am returning to the work force. Once again I did not need to actively search for this job. I have never had to look for a job. A phone call from a friend needing help in his realty office - voila, I'm employed.

So today was my first day - sort of. I started the day feeling another sinus infection coming on - no worry I can do this. Child #3 sounds like he has the makings of a cold. I feel his head and give him over the counter medications and send him and all the kids off to school hoping it was the right decision.

Since I'm up early to get three high schoolers off, I attempt to do all I normally do in the morning. So far so good. Then child #4 calls from school. She fell the day before and now has trouble sitting or walking. I call the office to say I'll be late. I retrieve said child and call the doctor to schedule an appointment hopefully for the afternoon. After about 10 phone calls - all with no answer - I resolve to drive to the doctor's assuming thier phones are out. Another call to my new employer saying I'll be just a bit later. I arrive at the doctor's to find not only the phones but the power is off. Fortunately I find the nurses and the doctor standing outside the office. They are rescheduling all appointments to the afternoon, but feel child #4 should be seen - if I can bring her soon. Off I go to fetch the patient. Another call to my "employer", tomorrow will be my first day.

Life's Little(?) Surprises

Saturday was an extremely busy day. Our activities ranged from teaching at a marriage conference in the morning to bowling for 2 hours with a group a junior highers in the afternoon. We decided rather than go home and feed the kids another thrown together meal of either quesadillas or nachos, we would splurge and pick up dinner on the way home.

We went to KFC and ordered a vaule meal that was on special. The cashier handed us our receipt. As I was putting the receipt away she says "oh and here's your cup for your drink". This was not your ordinary cup. This was a gargantuan cup of mammoth proportions. The word "cup" didn't even seem to fit it. Maybe the word "pitcher" or "bucket". We asked for clarification as we reread the sign and saw no mention of a drink. She insisted it was included and so I wrapped my hands around it and began to fill, and fill, and fill our cup. In fact we received our meal while I was still filling it. The fact that a "cup" had a carrying handle still amazes me.

Sometimes life surprises you with little things that make you smile in the midst of your day. Sometimes the little things can be quite large as if to make sure you don't miss the point. During this week, look for some little surprises.