Just My Opinion - by Mary Kilen
One Year Later
I was watching the Blue Jays game against the Outlaws on Friday night. I wasn’t feeling great and just didn’t feel up to making the drive over and taking pictures.
Before the game began, the public address announcer was offering a moment of reflection as the one year anniversary of last year’s wildfires was drawing near. He offered his support for those families that are still looking to rebuild what they lost, those that lost family members, and those who watched homes go up in flames. He also offered support and gratitude for the many first responder agencies that stepped up to the plate that fateful weekend. Those fires were fueled by dry conditions and high winds.
Fires that weekend raged through Williams and McKenzie Counties. The National Guard provided aerial support while support also came from the surrounding counties and Montana. More than eighteen different agencies were reported as responding to those calls for assistance.
I can remember seeing the first information on those fires and praying for the safety of all of those involved. I can remember watching our fire department going out to assist their neighboring departments while also dealing with fires within their district. For many, they took very few breaks over those days. They would go home to eat, shower and sleep for a while, before going back out.
One thing we were all reminded of that weekend, though, is that small rural communities pull together like no one else. While families were trying to save their properties, neighbors around were offering help. They were offering places to put livestock. They were rallying together to provide food, clothing and more for those that were displaced.
The memories of those days are horrible, but they are also full of memories of how people came together to take care of each other during a tragedy.
As I’m writing my column this week, I’m listening to the wind howl. It is not as strong as it was that weekend, but it is an eerie reminder of how it was then. I’m just grateful we got some rain over the weekend. I could have done without Monday morning’s freezing temperatures, though.
Want To Play A Game
I found this one on Facebook a while ago and saved it because it made me laugh. It is a conversation between a wife and her husband. When I read it the first time, I laughed and then read it to Dale. He, of course, looked at me afterwards and said that either was the right choice. I’m not so sure that would apply in this competition.
Wife: Let’s play a game.
Husband: What is the game?
Wife: If I say the name of a color, you run to the left wall. If I say the name of a fruit, you run to the right wall.
Husband: Hmmm, sounds interesting. What do I get if I win?
Wife: Whoever loses has to obey the other person for the rest of their life.
Husband: Wow! I have to win this game!
Wife: Okay, ready?
Husband: Yes, I’m ready.
Wife: Here we go: Orange!
Husband has been standing in the same spot for three days, trying to figure out if she mean a color or a fruit.