Friday, December 3, 2010

Quickness of fire

On Thanksgiving eve a fire destroyed the ceiling of the sun porch in my Father's home where I was staying. It spread quickly from a metal chimney in the middle of the porch, devouring a path under the roof. We called 911 and a fire truck was dispatched. The 911 dispatcher told us to immediately evacuate.

I watched the firemen quickly scamper to the top of the roof, enter the porch area and remove furniture as they contained the blaze. I saw sparks flying, smoke engulfing the men. My Father watched from the end of the driveway.

It was one of the few times--the only time?--I saw my Father cry in agony. He was utterly vulnerable and suffering the pain of loss.

He has to stay out of the house for at least three months while they repair it. My Father wanted to go back into the house that night.

Your life can change forever in an instant, your past and all its tracks can be erased in an instant.