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After the fire

Posted on September 27, 2012 by Andrew

It had been devastating. The fire started small, as these things do, insidiously growing, creeping, swallowing everything it touched. In the blink of an eye it had consumed the house, taken a life and destroyed memories, hopes and dreams.

The life too quickly gone was one of significance. She mattered. She loved and was loved in return. Young souls were devastated by the loss, understanding neither the reason nor the significance of their sudden bereavement. Too much. Too soon.

The upheaval was monstrous and violent. To attempt to carry on as before, to pick up where we had left off was impossible and unwanted. Reality had changed, twisting on its axis at a perverse angle. What was up was now down, black was white, day became night. The clock stopped for a moment and then restarted, but now the tick sounded different. Each moment was its own unique self – unordered and isolated. Certain ordinary tasks or memories evoked a visceral reaction, others were totally devoid of emotion. To operate in such a strange environment took gargantuan effort.

The months since then have been at best surreal, at worst a misadventure of Dantean proportions. There has been light, burning so bright that it too might catch fire and eviscerate all in its path, but the light illuminates our path with goodness and hope for a future filled with joy.

Outside of the light the darkness reigns. It pervades the nostrils with the smell of decay and death. The darkness litters our path with dangerous obstacles and confusion, attempting all the while to deter us from our intended direction; to make us stumble and fall as we climb that mountain back to happier times.

The darkness will not succeed in its quest. It will not take us down to depths unknown, where fire again rages and pain pervades. The darkness will fail because it cannot overcome the light that binds the universe together. Love.

Love reigns supreme. The young lives so devastated are loved intensely and honestly. They are wrapped in a secure blanket that cannot be infiltrated by the negative. They will overcome this adversity. We will reach the light hand in hand. Love is the answer.

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10 thoughts on “After the fire”

  1. Britton Minor says:
    September 27, 2012 at 5:07 pm

    I’ve already told you, but it bears repeating–this is a monumentally beautiful piece of work. The way you have explained and expressed such difficult times and torrid emotions not only speaks to your ability to reach out and connect with others meaningfully, but also to your skill as a writer.

    You really just started writing? Unbelievable. Bravo!

  2. Andrew says:
    September 27, 2012 at 5:41 pm

    Humbled…

  3. Susan Bearman (@2KoP) says:
    September 27, 2012 at 6:14 pm

    Britton shared your post with our online writing group. I’m so sorry for your loss. One of the beautiful things about writing is that it allows us to explore our world, our joys and sorrows. You have done that beautifully here. I don’t know if your writing about it has helped you, but I have no doubt that writing about it so eloquently will help others.

    1. Andrew says:
      September 27, 2012 at 6:32 pm

      Thank you Susan. You are very gracious. The piece was not entirely autobiographical but the elements of the story are founded in reality. I appreciate your kind response.

  4. Rossandra White says:
    September 27, 2012 at 6:19 pm

    Yes indeed. Bravo! Keep writing.

    1. Andrew says:
      September 27, 2012 at 6:33 pm

      Most kind Rossandra. Thank you for your positive comment. I will indeed keep writing.

  5. injaynesworld says:
    September 28, 2012 at 2:59 pm

    You express yourself eloquently and exquisitely. My heart breaks for you and yet your strength comes through in the piece and assures your readers that you will triumph over the darkness. Yes. By all means, write.

    1. Andrew says:
      September 28, 2012 at 3:38 pm

      Thank you for your response Jayne. We WILL triumph, that much is certain.

  6. Kiyomi says:
    September 28, 2012 at 4:56 pm

    Beautiful… I saw it all as I read it ….It is easy to see the strength you have for both your kids and yourself….A strong heart. I wish you only warmth on your journey to redefine your lives in love and strength together as a family you will find you smile again….I wish you and your kids only warmth and love….

    1. Andrew says:
      September 28, 2012 at 5:01 pm

      What a beautiful wish. Thank you most sincerely Kiyomi.

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