Here’s a video of a father driving away with his two sons. There are many other videos, but this one made an especially deep impression on me, perhaps because of the family dynamics. The sons, whose ages remain unspecified, demonstrate two different personalities. One seems to manage for the most part to stay relatively calm and optimistic, the other is more doubtful and fearful. Their father is a hero, and somehow remains wonderfully reassuring as he drives through a nightmare landscape in flames (this was taken in the middle of the day). Stick with it till the end for the final question the more fearful boy asks:
The father writes at YouTube:
I was born in Paradise 47 years ago and always told my 4 kids that Paradise is safe from flooding, tornadoes, earthquakes, the only thing we had to worry about was a fire. But that would never happen. Well it happened. Paradise is now hell. We had 15 minutes to get out and lucky enough my entire family is safe including our two dogs Coco and jet and our bearded dragon. We lost everything else. Please keep us and everyone from Paradise in your prayers.
Close call.
When life uncovers the unexpected and menacing things can go red before you can react. This time and for this family there was a happy, and very relieved, ending. Blessings to all involved. But what we are witnessing is more normal than any of us want to admit – devastation and ruination, dire threats, chaos, sickness are all around us and are on attack without pause. Seeing an escape like this and others sharpens the point that we all should be humble, thankful, watchful, and strengthen our families as a fortress and relief against ever-present danger.
SuburbanbansheeNovember 14, 2018, 12:59 PM
That was freaking terrifying. No shame to that kid; I was scared just watching the video. At least in a tornado, you get to hide and stay put.
It’s actually a good thing in an emergency to have a spread of threat reactions like that. You want people who feel the threat’s urgency and are looking around like crazy, as well as people who will start shaking later and maybe are almost too blithe. (Not to mention people who are good actors about not being scared….)
Bill HenryNovember 14, 2018, 6:40 PM
If you notice all the cars… patiently and civilly waiting to escape..
These types of people are the best of us..
Imagine Detroit burning..???
Bill Henry
iggyNovember 14, 2018, 7:54 PM
How?
Is it possible that with buildings in flame on BOTH SIDES OF THE ROAD that there are trees with foliage intact on BOTH SIDES OF THE ROAD?
I have seen and been in fires before, close up and I do not understand how this is possible that buildings majikly burst into flame (mcdonalds?) while nearby flora remains untouched.
I do not understand.
DutchNovember 15, 2018, 5:18 PM
Having gone through a similar escape 15 years ago, out through the fire, I can tell you that, whether or not they lost their home, that moment of escape will shape their beings for the rest of their lives.
Real World Address for Donations, Mash Notes and Hate Mail
Gerard Van der Leun
1692 MANGROVE AVE
APT 379
Chico, Ca 95926
Green Pants Interior by Klahn
Who Am I? by Carl Sandburg
My head knocks against the stars.
My feet are on the hilltops.
My finger-tips are in the valleys and shores of universal life.
Down in the sounding foam of primal things I reach my hands and play with pebbles of destiny.
I have been to hell and back many times.
I know all about heaven, for I have talked with God.
I dabble in the blood and guts of the terrible.
I know the passionate seizure of beauty
And the marvelous rebellion of man at all signs reading “Keep Off.”
My name is Truth and I am the most elusive captive in the universe.
Duty, Beauty, Liberty, Country, Honor, Family, Faith — Plus a few simple easy to follow rules for guys
Men saw the stars at the edge of the sea
They thought great thoughts about liberty
Poets wrote down words that did fit
Writers wrote books
Thinkers thought about it
Take it where you find it
Can’t leave it alone
You will find a purpose
To carry it on
Mainly when you find it
Your heart will be strong
About it
Many’s the road I have walked upon
Many’s the hour between dusk and dawn
Many’s the time
Many’s the mile
I see it all now
Through the eyes of a child
Take it where you find it
Can’t leave it alone
You will find a purpose
To carry it on
Mainly when you find it
Your heart will be strong
About it
[Chorus]
Lost dreams and found dreams
In America
In America
In America
Lost dreams and found dreams
In America
In America
In America
And close your eyes
Leave it all for a while
Leave the world
And your worries behind
You will build on whatever is real
And wake up each day
To a new waking dream
Take it where you find it
Can’t leave it alone
You will find a purpose
To carry it on
Mainly when you find it
Your heart will be strong
About it
[Chorus]
Change, change come over
Change come over
Talkin’ about a change
Change, change
Change come over, now
Change, change, change come over
I’m gonna walk down the street
Until I see
My shining light
I’m gonna walk down the street
Until I see
My shining light
I’m gonna walk down the street
Until I see
My shining light
I’m gonna walk down the street
Until I see
My shining light
I see my light
See my light
See my shining light
I see my light
See my light
See my shining light
Gerard Van der Leun
Comments on this entry are closed.
Close call.
When life uncovers the unexpected and menacing things can go red before you can react. This time and for this family there was a happy, and very relieved, ending. Blessings to all involved. But what we are witnessing is more normal than any of us want to admit – devastation and ruination, dire threats, chaos, sickness are all around us and are on attack without pause. Seeing an escape like this and others sharpens the point that we all should be humble, thankful, watchful, and strengthen our families as a fortress and relief against ever-present danger.
That was freaking terrifying. No shame to that kid; I was scared just watching the video. At least in a tornado, you get to hide and stay put.
It’s actually a good thing in an emergency to have a spread of threat reactions like that. You want people who feel the threat’s urgency and are looking around like crazy, as well as people who will start shaking later and maybe are almost too blithe. (Not to mention people who are good actors about not being scared….)
If you notice all the cars… patiently and civilly waiting to escape..
These types of people are the best of us..
Imagine Detroit burning..???
Bill Henry
How?
Is it possible that with buildings in flame on BOTH SIDES OF THE ROAD that there are trees with foliage intact on BOTH SIDES OF THE ROAD?
I have seen and been in fires before, close up and I do not understand how this is possible that buildings majikly burst into flame (mcdonalds?) while nearby flora remains untouched.
I do not understand.
Having gone through a similar escape 15 years ago, out through the fire, I can tell you that, whether or not they lost their home, that moment of escape will shape their beings for the rest of their lives.