(6 minute read)
In each of our lives, we have that which we can and cannot control. And then there’s the gray area - things we think we have control over that become uncontrollable or out of our reach due to one reason or another.
How do you handle the uncontrollables and sudden disruption in your life?
Do you even see it as ‘disruption’? And what do you learn from these times?
I recently got to experience a different kind of disruption the weekend of October 17 when two wildfires (Calwood and Lefthand Canyond) broke out near our mountain communities of Jamestown and Ward CO within about 24 hours time. Our beloved town of Jamestown, which has a population of ~300 folks, had not long ago finally recovered and rebuilt from the severe flooding in 2013. We are no strangers to natural disasters, but heart rates skyrocket at the thought of another one so soon.
We were one of hundreds to receive a mandatory evacuation notice from the Boulder Office of Emergency Management (OEM) over the weekend. The “disruption” was the suddenness of it all and the heart-sinking moments visualizing the potential of losing our home and the destruction to the area.
My husband and I luckily had time to pack our vehicles with some pictures and books, memorabilia, my guitars, a couple clothing bags, food, work stuff, and our doggie. Patrick cleared the perimeter of the house as best as he could of the “easy burnable fuel” category. We checked on neighbors and then drove away as calmly as possible.
The Calwood Fire had just started.
A view of the Lefthand Canyon fire as we evacuated.
I cried at the thought of never coming home.
I cried for the people in the world who don’t even have a home or consistent shelter.
I cried for the firefighters and my friends who were working these fires.
I cried for the Unknown and the Disruption that we had no control over.
I cried for the batshit craziness of our world.
Our dear friends in Boulder graciously took us in, no questions asked. This was an enormous sense of relief to have safety, support, and a home base for a while.
We monitored the OEM updates, Twitter, Facebook, and our neighborhood email forum almost fanatically. The high winds and dry conditions made each day a nail biter.
How did I respond otherwise to this Disruption?
Maintaining a daily routine involving journaling and meditation
Communicating with friends and family
Trying to find something worth a giggle
Modified exercise and frequent walks with the dog
Nourishing with healthy food, but also
Enjoying a few extra pieces of chocolate and
some red wine (or a snap of bourbon) in the pm
Praying, Letting Emotion Happen, Breathing
…and Pausing.
To sit in the moment and be.
…and Listening.
To hear what I hear and
feel what I feel.
After 5 days, our weather was turning - yaaaaay. Cold and snow on the way. The land and air fire crews had done an amazing job to stop the spread of the fires and construct containment lines. [P.S. Fire science is fascinating.]
We returned home after 6 days with feelings of joy, relief, and extreme gratitude.
Gratitude for the firefighters and all of the emergency crews and volunteers who worked the fires (and continue to work the fires burning in Colorado) and to all of those who were on the back end of the work 24/7. For friends and family who reached out to check on us, offering any help we needed, and to the dear friends who hosted us with love and support. For our neighbors and mountain communities to keep our bonds alive and strong. For the emergency services and organizations that helped with shelter, food, and other needs.
Gratitude to be home and to have a home.
While this disruption ended favorably for us, there are many others who lost homes. And the threat of more wildfires does not disappear. There are still worrisome fires raging nearby with the East Troublesome and Cameron Peak fires (and places like California have it far worse than we do) and the cumulative losses are unimaginable.
While we each may have different viewpoints on the more broad impacts and implications of natural disasters and disruptions, we can choose to provide support in many ways. Whether it’s voting for politicians who believe the science of climate change and support policy changes for the environment, donating to organizations and fundraisers that support emergency services, or simply being on the “other side” for those who may need your help someday. We can each do something, someway, somehow. And have gratitude for that ability.
Thanks for reading,
Dina
If you are able and inclined to make a donation, may I suggest one of the following:
The Red Cross, which helped many of our friends with lodging, food and supplies.
The Boulder County Network of Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster (BOCO VOAD)
Operation ColoRADo Hope, established by my friend, Kelly Newlon of Real Athlete Diets