SO GRATEFUL

Sept. 8, 2012
It is so difficult to believe that a whole year has gone by since the horrific wildfire we experienced one year ago. My husband and I had just gotten all the dogs settled in, and we were headed off to a “date” night in town. Before we could leave, we got a call from a dear friend working at the Hospital in Austin who warned us that there was fire headed our way….
We were lucky enough to have time to load up all of our dogs, including 3 brand new litters, and head to my son’s house in Austin, where as it ended up, we would stay for a full 30 days.
Our home survived the fire, but burned the majority of our 11 acres. Every house surrounding us was burned to the ground, except one that was only partially burned. Seventeen hundred homes were completely destroyed, and overnight, one of the most beautiful pine forests in our state was turned to prairie land….it is hard to imagine without actually seeing it.
Things have changed forever, and our path has changed course, but we are so grateful for so many things. Hard circumstances have a way of making you appreciate people and things that once were taken for granted. Hard circumstances give rise to the kindness and generosity of so many others….it is sometimes overwhelming. Hard circumstances always change your perspective, but it is up to us to choose to find the good. We have so many new things to experience now.
It has been a hard year, but a good one. And we are looking forward to this next year with great hope and anticipation.
Thanks so much to all of you who supported us this past year in so many different ways. Our hearts are filled with love and gratitude…..