It is fall and cold has snapped. Only at night, some days are still too hot for long pants. But at night the calendar and the weather are agreeing that it is nearing winter.

We even had a full day of rain last week. My daughter said “I spent half of my life in a drought. Rain is startling.”

There is a nursery rhyme:

Rain Rain

Go away

Come again some other day

But we lived through the drought and longed for rain. We know that rain is a blessing.

We also know it’s cold and wet.

Blessings aren’t always comfortable.

Rain does not come every year but fire does.

No one wants a fire. Almost a year ago, the world watched as the terrible fires along the coast in Los Angeles destroyed so many buildings and history.

I cannot remember a year without a fire.

Rain is gentle. And we can work around be careful with the water that remains so we can get through the years of none.

Fire is not gentle. It consumes and roars through the hills faster than people are ready for.

I hear the stories of homeowners who don’t get out fast enough. Some of them get caught behind the fire or in the crush of evacuation and perish.

Some will stay to pour water on their roofs to keep the flames away.

The ones that make it are the heroes.

On this terrain—any terrain—life brings harsh choices. What’s the right one? The drought says be careful and conserve. Cut out extras and do the small things to conserve.

Fire demands immediate action. GO! RUN! GET OUT!

Or

Get the hose, and use all the water to spray the roof. Don’t Stop, don’t hold back.

As devouring as the fire, consume everything in reach to fight.

Fire and Rain

Each a calling.

When they come they require from me a response.

When it comes the choice is in my hands

Am I ready?