Gone with the Wind

Every day seems to bring a new kind of wind to our lives. If you ever lived in ID, spring winds are the worst.

In March of 1977, a huge windstorm came to our area. It raged for several hours and the damage was tremendous. I have never forgotten that storm because I lost a cousin and a family friend that night too. There were road signs bent over, reports of car wrecks and damage to outbuildings.

Today, we are experiencing the same kind of windstorm. It is blowing in all directions. We cannot predict the outcome or damage because, unlike the storm in 1977, this one has been going on for quite a while.

The noise is deafening, the dust is everywhere and we are getting tired of having to buck the wind to carry on with our daily lives.

The very foundations of our homes, lives and work have been shaken daily. We see some individuals who stand up and say that it really isn't that windy and others who complain bitterly that they aren't equipped to handle the stress of a natural disaster.

Our windbreak used to be pretty clear. People followed the rules, laws and worked hard. The social structure was sound and true with deep foundation in the belief in God. And then, little by little, an erosion started to take place. It didn't seem so bad at first, but anyone can tell you that the entire ditch bank will eventually collapse with enough disturbance, natural or otherwise.

We have allowed this erosion by sheltering ourselves and denying the magnitude of the storm, until it is almost too late. There are no clear solutions when visibility is so poor, but as Americans, we can stand together and provide a new windbreak. A single tree may not stand against the wind, but an entire row will.