Thankful

Are you grateful for the car you drive? What about being protected from the weather? Do you appreciate having hot water with the turn of a knob? These are some of the questions I contemplated on July 3rd as I watched fire-fighters battle a home fire across the street from us.

Standing on my front porch

It was about 8:30 pm and we were in the backyard taking it easy when we smelled smoke. Naturally, my thoughts jumped to some dorkus who caught the grass on fire doing fireworks a night early. Then Jack points out the fire truck is coming in the main entrance to Ransom Canyon. (We can see this from our back yard, especially when you are jumping real high on the trampoline!) We try to audibly track the sirens to figure out what part of the area they are going and then we hear a frantic voice holler "HEY!!!" 

Realizing this voice in VERY close...like in our FRONT YARD close...Terry takes off with me close on his heels. My heart sank and the adrenaline started to rush when we opened our front door and the saw our neighbors house giving off lots of smoke. 

A little history: when we moved into our new home back in April, several...4 to be exact...different neighbors came over and introduced themselves during the first week or so. Yes, we are blessed with friendly neighbors...that's just part of being Southern, I believe! Hank and Regina Jordan were especially gracious...they brought a cherry pie. It was in her own pie pan so it gave me opportunity to return it and find out a little more about this middle-age, delightfully friendly and inviting couple. This was the only time I was in their home. It was here that I learned they had been there 16 years or so, had a comfortable home they had been updating over the last couple years and had pre-purchased tile to update the kitchen when they did the laundry room and purchased brand new washer/dryer...and boy, did that kitchen need to be updated! I learned that they are BIG TIME bowlers due to the dozen or so bowling balls on their carpeted floor...but did not really understand to what extent then. We talked about the new built in entertainment wall they put in when the wet bar came out, their dislike for the step down into the living room and how much I loved their wood mantle. It was at this time we exchanged cell phone numbers...glad we did.

So one fire truck arrives and the first responders get their gear on and hook up to the water hydrant. Terry served on the volunteer fire department in his early 20's so he ran over to help in any way possible. Keep in mind, all fire responders are volunteers in Ransom. In the mean time another truck shows up and starts the process of getting ready to fight a house fire. Meanwhile, the smoke is really billowing from the back of their home and Travis, Jack, Kate and I are standing there with our jaws-dropped, basically.

I realize Regina is not around and decide Hank has probably not had time to call her...this is why I was glad we exchanged cell numbers. She is actually in Lubbock and on her way to get groceries. I let her know Hank is ok, but "you need to come home now! There is smoke coming from your home and the firemen have arrived." How do you break that kind of news without throwing someone into a panic? I offer to come pick her up...she is already turned around an making the 20 minute drive home. 

Over the next 45 minutes, 2 more trucks, total of 4, are now working together on this house-fire. That is also how long it took Regina to get home. Problem: Lubbock traffic was arriving to the neighboring lake for the fireworks display that was to start at 10pm. Also, all fire trucks were in place at THAT lake for any emergencies that developed. It is about 9:30 pm at this point and it seems to be getting worse, if anything. Most of the smoke is still dark in color (meaning things are burning.) After about an hour and half to 2 hours of fire-fighting, we see relief in white smoke and feel some excitement seeing some rooms are still unburned and likely to have water damage only! 

Terry had been in the back yard the whole time helping fire fighters with hoses and such and I was getting bottled water for firemen and hanging out... just amazed at how long it was taking to get this thing under control. Nope, not been around many out of control fires before!  At about 11pm we finally head into the house leaving the final stages to the professionals...they were cutting into the roof with the saws to make sure all fire was extinguished. We were glad to know that the two bedrooms and garage would defiantly have some stuff to salvage as the walls were in tack, etc. Terry and I made plans to be available in the morning to help them "go though" stuff and pull out what they could. There was a gentle let down as we climbed into bed after washing all the smoke and ashes off. It was difficult to fall asleep that night...

The next morning was July 4th, Independence Day, and this is what we walked out to...

Charred remains

Around 5 am, the fire started up again and took all that was left in the Jordan's home! It was heartache all over again. Hank & Regina arrived around 9 am...in shock! Iron skillets, a few partially burned quilts, some platters, a gold ring (one of 9 Perfect Bowl rings of Hank's...he bowls on the professional level) and some clothes from a dresser. This is about all that was salvageable from the remains. With some tears and much disappointment, Hank and Regina still had thankful spirits about them!

Can I just say, it really did not feel like a holiday, a day to celebrate...it did not feel like July 4th. It was a day to be glad to walk in my front door. Glad to have a comfortable bed to crawl into. A day to be glad to change all of our plans for the day and help our neighbors. A day to be grateful for ALL the LUXURIES I take for granted on a daily basis. That day was an ugly reminder how very privileged and blessed I am!