Re...Really?

Re… Really?

I’m on my daughter and son-in-law’s deck in Cle Elum.  It’s 35 degrees, but I’m sitting by a fire, wrapped in a blanket and wearing a couple of sweatshirts.

It’s quiet and peaceful.  Right now, no one is around.  I’m wonderfully alone—just mountains, trees, hills and a lake.  The pine trees, normally green are various colors of black, grey and orange.  Green is missing from the trees and the ground is barren.

A fire rolled through here this fall.  Damaged the house and deck.  Eliminated the garage and all the stuff inside.  Mitch’s cabin is gone.  A tent trailer burned, melted and gone.  All replaceable — ‘stuff’.

The garage is already framed and sided.  Mitch’s cabin won’t be replaced.  The stone fireplace, still stands, a reminder of what once was —

This is the season of Re —  remove the debris.  The burned and twisted remains of a camper, trailer, golf cart and a four wheeler.  The two refrigerators are gone.  Repairing and rebuilding are under way.  Remembering what needs to be replaced is ongoing.

In the spring, trees will be replanted.  Some will be removed.  Will regrow.  Plants and grasses will reappear to cover the barren ground.

The fire I sit beside is warm and comforting.  A reminder of the good side of fire.  The landscape is a frightening reminder of what a wild fire can do.

The destruction of the fire will be removed, repaired and renewed,   Most of the blackened trees will remain.

We will all remember the fire of 2012.  We will remember also how wonderful it is to have this retreat available to rest, recover, renew, reconnect, rejoice, and review our life.

And we will remember how blessed we are to have each other.






12/2012