March 16, 2024-

Smoke is smoke, fire is fire. An explosion in a small town, affecting two or three families, can implode an entire community. A General Alarm fire, on the street of a large city, can generate headlines, and bring onlookers, even politicians, making promises, which may or may not go over with those of the stakeholders, who were not asked of their views, on cost and benefit, of recovery efforts, to the greater good. All tragedy, all mishap, decimates body and soul, whether one is directly affected, or only connected in passing. To the former, it’s as if a life is shattered, though only for a time. To the latter, it’s like a pebble in a shoe, but not so easily shaken loose. “No man is an island”.

So, I got up early, and went to the small town of Seligman, a ninety-minute drive to the northwest, and helped with a smoke detector installation project. Our team encountered a heavy smoker, who had no such devices in his house. He now has four. He was chastened, and grateful.

Smoke is smoke, fire is fire.