I'm back after a very long hiatus. It seems that more than a year has passed since my last blog entry. But I've not been sitting around doing nothing. No. I've been building...all sorts of things.
In August of 2008 our home was struck by lighting and subsequently burned beyond repair. While that doesn't seem to be the best way to start the day, it ultimately turned out to be a blessing. In fact, as I watched the flames begin to break through the roof of our home, I turned to my wife and said, "Well, we needed a new roof anyway." And while that story usually gets a laugh, it's true.
So now, after a whirlwind of excitement, moving, false starts, hurried planning, waiting, waiting, and more waiting, building, waiting, moving again and more sweat equity than your average home builder--we are home again. And loving it. Who wouldn't love a new house and all new furniture and accessories. In fact, as I glance around the room I realize the only thing older than one year is my cell phone. That's because the morning of the fire, after I made sure everyone was out of the house, I grabbed my phone to call 911. And while I was at it I grabbed a few cases of props that I use in my shows and hauled them out to my car. That's about all that escaped unscathed that day. All our other worldly belongings either burned, were terribly smoke damaged or had 10,000 gallons of water dumped on them. Not much can make it though that kind of gauntlet.
However, it was only stuff. And stuff can be replaced with other stuff. So we did. Now we have newer stuff, but it's still just 'stuff'. The real treasures in my life were standing next to me that drizzly morning-- my wife and son. Plus an army of caring neighbors and friends and family descended on us in our time of need and literally clothed and fed and sheltered us. We are blessed.
