Keith's Column: Hug a firefighter and pray for rain
I was standing in the backyard of my grandparent’s house on Saturday morning along with the rest of the male members of my sister’s bridal party when a light rain began in Southern California.
Of course, I thought, I have been saying ‘pray for rain’ for almost a week now and it rains in California in the middle of July. Why did I bring all of those prayers with me?
Even though my friends and family were well aware of the conditions of my departure from Superior to Southern California – everything from delaying flights to conflicting emotions regarding leaving at all – it was hard to explain what was going on in my heart Saturday.
Conflicting emotions created a whirlwind. I was overwhelmed with joy at getting to see my little sister walk down the aisle to marry an amazing man who I have grown to know for many years now. But at the same time there was a strong urge to be back in Superior, to be back around the people that have embraced me for the 17-months I have been the reporter at the Mineral Independent.
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It was one of those residents, Melanie Wilcox, who informed me early Sunday evening that I needed to get out to West Mullan road as quickly as possible because of a fire.
As I prepared my gear and stepped outside I quickly realized this was something of a far grander scale than the previous wildfires and structure fires I had covered.
When I got to West Mullan Road my realization was confirmed by the pluming smoke quickly spreading over the hills. I parked my car on the road leading up to Sense of Balance and several residences that would soon be evacuated in the wake of an unusually early wildfire that seemingly would not stop growing.
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The next four days were a whirlwind of photos, Facebook updates and nightly informational meetings.
To say the West Mullan Fire stretched the one-man operation that is the Mineral Independent would be an understatement. I grew more as a journalist in that week than I could have ever imagined. But then it was time to go home. Time to be with family and celebrate an important event.
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Standing in the room I stayed in at my grandparent’s home putting on a suit I remembered the first part of what I had been saying all week.
“Hug a firefighter.”
With that recollection came feelings of reassurance, an easing of my worries because I knew there were hundreds of seasoned firefighters working around the clock with the goals of public and personnel safety as well as saving structures in danger at the top of their list.
These men and women put their lives in danger for a living. They go without showers, without seeing their loved ones and without the comforts of home for weeks and months on end to protect structures around the nation.
The dedication and strength they show puts all of the action heroes of Hollywood to shame.
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Then my thoughts went to the residents of Superior. To how at every single meeting it was never ‘woe is me’ or ‘this situation sucks’ but ‘how can I help my fellow residents’ and ‘how can we show our support for firefighters’.
They went to the members of our local volunteer fire departments who responded and put their jobs and lives on the backburner in order to ensure the homes of their fellow community members were safe.
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One thing I have learned being in Mineral County is that there is safety and comfort in a small community unseen in larger parts of the world. There is constant support and a willingness to go the extra mile for neighbors that supersedes any drama or fighting that is a natural part of life.
To witness that community during such a hectic and trying time is something that will stick with me forever. It is something that I will never again be able to replicate.
The fact that I could have taken this entire issue to thank and salute so many individuals speaks for itself.
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As the wedding wound down and I finally got home after a night of celebration I put on my Superior Bobcat sweatshirt before I went to sleep. There was a smile on my face and a comfort in knowing that I would soon be back in the community. Would soon be back in a place that truly feels like home.
There are not enough thanks in the world to cover everyone who made a positive impact this last week. But that’s the other thing about community I have grown to love.
It’s not helping with the expectation of receiving praise rather helping knowing that when you are in need you too will be helped. It’s a remarkably rare thing and it has been my pleasure to witness it. In the coming weeks I look forward to telling some of these amazing stories of community.
In the meantime… Hug a firefighter and pray for rain.