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UTAH COUNTY — About 1 a.m. on June 30, my husband and I received a call that said a fire was imminent and that we were to evacuate our Utah County home immediately. Unwisely, I wasn't panicked.
The city siren hadn’t sounded and we didn’t see flames or thick smoke. I thought, maybe it's a drill (later I would find out our neighbors a short distance away had opened their front door to billowing smoke and a friend telling them flames were on the move). As more phone calls shed light — and urgency — the reality set in.
I gathered essentials while my husband continued to call neighbors on the block. Thankfully, after about 20 minutes we were called again and told that the fire was out and the evacuation order lifted.
What I learned in that 20 minutes of intense yet life-changing anxiety was this:
1. Do it now. Earlier that evening my husband and I had actually made a list of things to do should we have a fire in our area. Had I done them? Nope.
1. Faithful, Fit & Fabulous principles work. When I had to gather essentials amazingly my vital documents were neatly stored in the correct tub, in the correct place. Thank you, organization principles!
Of course, I must add that one of the vital documents was missing (he-who-shall-not-be-named is in the doghouse) but still…. All scrapbooks were stored in one spot and childhood memorabilia — the kids and my own — were in labeled tubs in the garage. Of course, we could hardly GET to said tubs because the kids had tossed summer stuff in the way, but still….
1. It’s just stuff. Except for a few key items, this adage became absolute truth. And in the very moment you believe you are forever leaving your home (AND RECENTLY TOTALLY OVERHAULED YARD — I’m just saying…) it becomes crystal clear that it is just stuff. What matters most are the memories you made with it and the people who are still with you.
1. Volunteer firefighters rock. And neighbors. And people are who are aware, which is how the fire was put out before it did damage (we later found out it could have destroyed our entire city on the mountain in one hour). Because one man had water truck equipment and fearless faith, he was able to work with the firefighters to quickly extinguish the flames which were headed precisely our way.
In gratitude our family unanimously decided to do a special gift for these great men — all volunteers — and some who spent until 5:30 a.m. helping put out the fire then left for work by 7:30 that same morning.
1. Good will prevail. Within a short time, four more fires were started in our specific area and appeared to be deliberate. Neighborhood watches began and many people gave up time and sleep to patrol our community. Ultimately, the arsonist was caught — an 18-year-old who was a member of the neighboring city’s fire department.
You can imagine the heartbreak all around for this situation, and yet, what a great gift that he was so quickly apprehended. Again, I learned that good people will succeed when we stick together and look out for each other.
Of course, other things I learned include don’t build in the woods, where there’s smoke there’s fire, and a phone call at 1 a.m. during fire season is most likely NOT a fax and should be answered.
Our prayers are definitely more earnest and go to those families displaced, as well as our deepest gratitude to all who have helped during this devastating fire season. And today, I invite you to make your own evacuation list. You never know when you might need it.
Connie Sokol is a mother of seven, a national and local presenter, Education Week speaker, and TV contributor on KSL’s “Studio 5”. She is the author of "Faithful, Fit & Fabulous," "Caribbean Crossroads," "Motherhood Matters," and "Life is Too Short for One Hair Color." Visitwww.conniesokol.comfor more.
