- Charles G. West
 |
| the huge belly of the biggest among the planes ready to drop fire retardant |
The window panes vibrated loudly and the house shook briefly for a few seconds. My son and I were keeping an eye on a ravaging inferno up on the hills as we breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing his dad/my husband arriving on the driveway. The biggest firefighting airplane hovered so low among tiled rooftops that shook everything on its path as it aimed and positioned itself to target the tallest blaze. There were also numerous smaller planes and altogether, were in unison as if they were dancing, making a pass one after another, to try to douse the hot and dangerous flames. With the strong, gusty winds constantly blowing, my son and I knew better... Those planes were also dancing with death.
We kept calm as we held hands together and asked for help from the Greatest Firefighter. We knew His help was needed for the scant resources battling numerous fires at the same time in different places. The fire wasn't threatening our place but my son led me to gather the important things we should pack in case there would be an order to evacuate. The forceful breathing of the atmosphere was unpredictable to which direction it would blow next. The fire got smaller after an airdrop, only to grow twice bigger when fanned by gusty winds.
The house shook again. I saw a neighbor ran out to the backyard and with fear on her face, scouted for what caused the shaking in her house. She took her hose and started wetting the house and around it.
After four hours, with the planes hovering nonstop, the thick, black smoke slowly became whitish and lessened in volume. The owners of those visible houses on top of the hills must be relieved to see they were spared from the fiery beast so close to them. Those firefighters, whether the ones maneuvering the planes or the ones on the ground did an exemplary job.
What is shaking your foundation? Illness? Loss of jobs? Imminent divorce? Death knocking at your life's door? Addiction to illegal substances?
What are you holding on to that is worth saving? Or do those things have a hold on you?
