Hope in the ashes

There have been wildfires in the Great Smoky Mountains.  Last week 87mph winds caused the fires to become a massive inferno that destroyed businesses, homes and took the lives of several people.  This is a horrible sad time for our community. 


A news person, trying to get "the story" made some insensitive remarks about what could have been changed so that the lives would not have been lost.  People were outraged!  People spoke of petitions and how she needed to lose her job over her insensitive remarks.  The thing is though she was just doing her job.  She was trying to get the whole story, to be a voice for the lives that were lost that no longer have a voice.  Her only crime besides being highly insensitive was her unfortunate love of turtlenecks. 


The mayor handled the situation beautifully.  He said that we were not going to take on the role of Monday morning quarterback.  He told the woman that once they had a chance to sit down and review they would visit what could have been done differently but for now they had to keep moving forward. 


Why is it that we find ourselves to be experts on everything? It drives me insane when in a football game the officials review a play on film.  They look at the play from several different angles, in slow motion over and over again and then make their decision from that information and armchair quarterbacks everywhere want the head of the referee on a stick.  Well.  Sherlock.  The referee made his call in real time, from his one perspective so if it took you 3 minutes of review to decide whether or not his foot was in or out could you give the guy a break? 


Absolutely it is a horrible situation that these lives were lost but no one could have predicted that the fires would have ignited in such a manner.  No one can see the future.  Accidents happen.  Sometimes life is not fair.  You can always find the good side and the bad side in any situation.  The story that needs to be reported about these fires is the one of Goodwill.  People from across the nation have offered help.  We have come together to help these families that have lost loved ones. 


The world is not a horrible place.  There is still good in the world.  This Christmas remember to love those around you and find the good in everything.