illusions & intentions

Where there's smoke, there's fire. 

Unless there's not, and it was created for training purposes across the street from my house.

The fire trucks are here to help. 

Unless they're not, and they block you in while they train.

(They were great at directing me backwards between the lineup of hooks & ladders, though.)

It puts me in mind of 

how little we really know

and

all the shouting about the smoke, without checking to see if there are flames or a smoke machine

or 

the obfuscation of The Man pointing in any direction away from where the real flames are

or

people who need to help, and they know how you should be helped

and

the intense focus on learning skills that will keep others alive

These women and men were intent. Focused. Skilled. Someday there will be real flames, and they will know how to truly help.

I'm grateful today for the people who see through the smoke and prepare for the flames in all their forms.

I'm also grateful that there are no real flames in this little house in this little part of the world.