Gratitude, Service and the Fourmile Fire, Boulder Colorado

This post is in honor of all who sacrifice and serve for the good of the many. At this time, our community of Boulder, Colorado is in day five of the Fourmile Fire, the worst fire in Boulder County history, and as of this post, 6,385 acres have burned, thousands of families have been displaced, and a confirmed 169 homes have been lost. Yes, that’s 169 people and families that have lost their homes and most likely most or all of their physical possessions. Although the fire appears to be slightly under control, there are currently around 600 people either directly fighting the fire, or providing support services tothe fire.This does not include the hundreds of members of our community who are supporting the effort by providing housing, care for animals and livestock, contributing goods for those in need, or any countless other forms of support and service. It is often through tragedy that communities come together to share support, empathy and love for one another.

As a human being, it’s hard to imagine the pain of losing everything you own and everything you identify with on this physical plane. Yes, safety comes first for those you love, but there is something comforting about our physical possessions. We are natural hoarders. We find it very difficult to get rid of many of the things that we never use, yet when faced with 30 seconds or even 30 minutes to evacuate our home, most of us would leave most of our possessions, perhaps because a detached physical cleanse, or one outside of our control, is so much easier than the conscious alternative.

I cannot begin to feel the pain, agony and anguish held by those who have lost their home and most or all of their worldly possessions, but I can express my compassion and my love. I feel tremendous sadness, and also feel so very sorry. I can only begin to imagine what they are going through right now. And what of the service members and firefighters, many of whom are volunteer, and some of whom also lost their own homes in the fire while their were busy trying to protect someone else’s home? “Thank you!” In its inherent simplicity, that phrasedoesn’t appear to convey everything that needs to be said – but alas, it is the sum total of everything that does need to be said. THANK YOU!

Our society functions through the contributions of the many, but not for financial reward alone for that would be a shallow existence at best. These service members contribute because its their nature, its who they are, and for that we have much to be grateful for. To all of those who serve, whether as teachers or members of the armed forces, janitors or doctors, policemen or crossing guards, and everyone else – THANK YOU. Thank you for all that you do to make this world a better place – To educate, to support, and to keep us safe. I am extremely and eternally grateful.

Many blessings,

Seth