The Waldo Canyon Fire, which started on June 23rd and as of today (June 29) is still raging on, has created havoc in the city of Colorado Springs. We watched the smoke on the horizon billow into the sky for two days before a 65mph wind gust fed the flames and drove it over the ridge into the populated areas. In one day it went from about 6100 acres burned to more than 15,000 acres burned. By Wednesday about 32,000 people were evacuated and the rest of the city was weary and on high alert... just in case.
Nine days later the damage is as follows:
16,750 acres burned
346 homes destroyed
15% contained
32,000+ evacuees
At least 1 dead
About 10 missing
Every business that is open is conducting a relief effort of some kind. Donate $1.00 to Burger King and get a free ice cream cone. Lifetime Fitness is taking food donations for the evacuees. The Chapel Hills Mall has created a lounge with free food, wifi, video games, and news feeds for those that have been displaced, not to mention the countless volunteer efforts and free pancake breakfast'esqe things going on around town. Our community has stepped up to help its neighbors and it's truly been a humbling sight.
Why is it, then, that so many are being so nasty? As I stalk the local news stations for the latest information I am bombarded with posts from people that have been evacuated. I actually saw one woman bitching that her house was still standing, but she was mad because the media is allowed to go to the areas that citizens aren't. Her argument... she forgot her daughters contact lens solution and she should be allowed to go get it. Hey, if it's that important I'll make a WalMart run for you.
Instead of bitching that your daughters saline is sitting there, unattainable, why not relish in the fact that you have a home to go back to once it's safe? There are 346 families that have nothing left but the clothes on their backs and the sparse belongings that they were able to throw in the back of their vehicles. Be glad that you were able to find a safe place to hunker down, because there was at least one charred body recovered from the ashes. Be GRATEFUL for the media, they are the ones that are keeping you informed on all of the going ons, the burned areas, the evacuation areas, and they will be the ones to let you know when you can go home.
The inflated sense of self worth and narcissism in these people make me want to vomit. I understand that life has been flipped and turned upside down like a teacup ride strapped to a roller coaster, but good GOD look at the big picture! It's not just about you, it's about you and the entire city. Whether we were evacuated or not this fire has affected all of us in one way or another.. and no matter how bad you have it, I assure you, someone else has it worse. I am losing faith in human kind, when is the next shuttle to Mars?
Don't sweat it sweetie. You are focused on the minority of people who are simply bad eggs. Focus on the fact that most of the community has opened its arms and hearts to help. You, like most of your community, are better than this.
ReplyDelete