Category Archives: Special Interest

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Remember This Tragedy

Good morning! It’s such a lovely day so far but you never know. In the paper we’ve been reading about the fire in Paradise five years ago that destroyed most of the town (Nov. 8, 2018). It’s about 25 miles east of my house. I drove up there a couple of days ago. It’s sobering. This week they devoted the paper to remembering that infamous day.

I remember it well.

I was in Capay that morning with my father. We looked to the east and saw the great cloud of gray rising in the deep blue sky. Dad said, “I don’t think that’s a cloud.” He turned on the TV news, and then we knew it was happening. I drove to Chico shortly thereafter. It was eerie. The sky was dark. People were already heading out of town. I picked up Dad’s medications near the Chico mall and then drove over to my home to get my computer.

The sky was filled with ash.

It was dark. I took note that people were hunkering down. Emergency vehicles were parked, one right after the other on the north end of town. It was weird. Glorianne was working. I called her. She said people were going outside, some on the roof, to watch for what they could see. We talked about what she should do. It was unsettling. The sky was getting darker. Something terrible was happening.

I needed to get back to Dad.

I crossed over Highway 32, not far from where it heads up towards Forest Ranch. Cars were coming down the mountain, back to back, inch by inch. The Skyway had most but not all. It was crazy. I drove around the town to enter the roadway west of Chico. I inched my way on the road, through Hamilton City, over to Capay. It took at least double the amount of time. That’s a memory you don’t forget.

It was a ferocious day.

Now it’s a memory of ‘The Day Paradise Burned’ up. For many months the former town was in a state of settling: the people losses, home losses, removing the burned trees, cleaning and sorting. The E-R Newspaper kept us abreast of what many people were facing. They were hanging out, moving away, taking inventory, using a store building to give out things they needed. Chico, my home town, was the key place in finding a way through the onslaught of situations the people faced.

Since that day, here’s what’s happened.

  1. Some people from Paradise moved away to out-of-state places or to new places.
  2. Many had to find new jobs wherever they could find them.
  3. The memory of the fire is a terribly hard, harsh, horrible one.
  4. Everyone helped each other, to cope, sharing their stuff, doing for others.
  5. We learned to give without getting, to care while sharing, to help those who needed help.

The residual benefits stay with us.

I’ve learned a few things as a result of the fire. You can’t always count on things that you think are good standards. Some people are horrid but most care and will give what is needed at the time it is needed. I think every day is worth thanking God for: for His care, nutrition, those who help, and so forth. We should thank God for every single day that He gives to us. He is so good to us, way more than we may realize.

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A Brand New Babe Got My Attention

My second son was the first to tell me. His cousin was the proud father of a new baby. He sent a picture of the baby, which showed their exhaustion. His Mom, my first cousin, sent a picture a day or two later. I can’t explain the overwhelming sense of joy a new baby brings the people that are given the task of rearing the child. A person tends to forget that these days. Problems surmount the miracle of new birth but regardless there is great happiness at the appearance of one blessed babe.

A New Beginning

How do we treat a new little one? Of course you do the ordinary things like feeding, clothing, changing, burping, and making a sleepy head out of them (hopefully). Then, there are the other things that matter, like making sure they are secure, preparing clean clothes for them, getting enough clothing so they don’t run out, and making sure they have a safe environment to sleep in and awaken in. It really is quite involved when you think of how much a baby needs and how often they need it.

You Need Rest

I remember my first born. I was twenty-seven, but I’d not been around little one’s much. I had a lot to learn, but I wanted to learn it on my own. Mother was very willing to help me, but I was determined to do it myself. A friend of the family who was also a surgical nurse came down to see me and the baby. She ooed and awed, and just enjoyed seeing him. I studied carefully all his perfections. Moving the warming blanket ‘just so’ to see all his parts when she went back to work. I was amazed. He was complete. Perfect. He was sleepy and barely would wake up to feed. I loved him.

Some Adjustments

That was the beginning. We got home and I began to learn what being a mother was really about. I learned you have to take it as it comes. The diaper changes (I used cloth diapers for the most part) were endless. He ate often and my breasts became tender (nipple cream). He’d cry when I was tired (me or my mate would walk with him in our arms. He wasn’t hungry when my breasts were full (yikes). I had a lot to learn. But I loved my baby and would do whatever it took to make our home as welcoming as possible. My mother didn’t help me much and I didn’t really want her help, so it turned out okay.

Since Then

That was forty-one years ago. I had five more pregnancies with one of the pregnancies not making it. I loved being a mom. It was my favorite role of all the roles I’ve participated in. Our lives were not easy. But there was always the love, caring, and grace in my walk regardless. I failed at times. We didn’t have enough money most of the time. But I did the best I could with what I had. I’m not speaking for my husband. We divorced in (1980- ) 2001. My husband wanted out since Josh was eleven months, which meant there wasn’t much to hold us together that was strong and viable. But I thrust myself forward for as long as we could keep it together. I am thankful we lasted as long as we did. I hope my children understand my heart. It beats for them.

My Thinking

Love your kids. Love doesn’t mean you have to give your kids a lot of things, but it does mean you take the time to meet their needs. Kids have many needs. We do not have the capacity to meet all their needs, but we do have the capacity to show them that we care. Those of us who are believers, also have the capacity to guide our children away from that which is evil and toward that which is good and of God. In my personal story, I don’t know if I made the right choices. But I do know that I gave it my best shot. Now that my children are grown up, it has become obvious that they have a positive portion of the goodness of God. They are willing to help others. They give when there is a need. They are careful in how they spend their money. They care about me, and that’s saying a bunch. Though it’s been hard, they don’t complain (much, that is). I am thankful for each one, and their mates, and their children.

And You?

Those who really know me and those who know me via my blog or facebook, know that I believe everyone can get it right. We can’t get everything right, for problems follow us all. That’s part of the human condition. However, don’t let that stop you from doing what you know to be true. Let’s say it’s not a family condition but say the case of the Covid vaccers or nonvaccers. People are unforgiving. You’re either one or the other. The two sides tend to hate each other. (In my family we have both) Is it worth getting all worked up over, which side you’re on? I don’t think so. Now, I know we think we’re right, which ever side you’re on. But, really? We must do what we understand, and both sides have tons to say. Which brings us back to the topic I’ve lead with…the baby situation. Babies are a blessing from God, A. R.E.A.L. B.L.E.S.S.I.N.G. F.R.O.M. G.O.D. Be thankful for each one, every single last one. I’m so happy for my newborn grandnephew. He’s a righteous blessing. God is so very good.

Blessings to all,

Norma