With the recent 90 degree weather during the day and 70s-80s at night, it’s not surprising a thunderstorm would make its’ way through the area. Recently a noisy thunder and lightning storm passed through one night while I laid in bed and once again it took me back to my days as a kid in Owensville and thoughts of my dad.
Owensville is a little farm community of
about 1000 people. When we lived there, we lived about 2 blocks from
‘downtown’. Dad worked at Smith’s Hardware Store and was the Chief of the
volunteer Fire Department. We had a special phone at the house (maybe the other
volunteers did too) that was specific for the fire department. On any given day, at any time of the day or night, that phone might ring and dad would answer it if he was home. He'd listen to the caller and then take off
running to the fire station, 2 blocks away. We could then hear the alarm go off to warn the other fire fighters. I assume other
volunteers would then head to the station if they were available. Soon, the
truck would take off for the fire with one guy driving, a few in the seats inside and others hanging on to handles on the outside of the
truck.
The thunder and lightning storm that was passing through this night reminded me of a
night in Owensville when a storm was raging outside. The
special phone rang and we knew dad was about to get called out to respond to a
fire, probably due to a lightning strike on a barn or home in the area.
On this
particular night, my sister Jean and I were home with dad and we were scared out of our wits at the storms intensity and asked...no…begged…dad
to not go on the run. I seem to recall him stepping out on the porch and waving
the fire truck and crew on by the house while he stayed with us. I am certain he was
frustrated with us as with most storms...after a few minutes...the worst of the storm likely passed by and simply became a heavy rainstorm. But dad being dad, chose to stay
home and take care of his kids. That was our dad.
REMEMBER: Be a reflection of what you’d like to see in
others. If you want love, give love. If you want honesty, give honesty. If you
want respect, give respect. You get in return what you give.
Be talkin’ to ya.
Dan
Dan
