Fire And Rain October 25, 2016
Posted by nrhatch in Health & Wellness, Humor, Mindfulness, People.comments closed
At Bridge one afternoon, the fire alarm in the Church Hall went off. I looked up from my cards to assess the situation.
Inside: No flames. No smoke. Exit doors just steps away.
Outside: A torrential downpour. A real gully washer. Thunder. Lightning.
After raising inquisitive eyes toward the blinking alarm box on the wall of the hall, no one moved from their seats. Everyone seemed content to “wait and see” what the rest of the players planned to do.
The alarm rang out for about 30 seconds, then went silent.
After it stopped blaring, we issued a collective shrug and returned to playing cards, sensing it was a “false alarm” triggered by the staccato lightning strikes that had punctuated our play all afternoon.
Five minutes later, three burly firefighters in full regalia burst into the room.
They seemed as surprised by our presence as we were by their arrival. After all, it’s not every day you see a dozen card players playing cards.
Regaining their composure, they strode across the floor and went straight to work checking the alarm boxes.
Glancing at the huddled trio, I sensed palpable displeasure that we hadn’t evacuated the building at the sounding of the alarm. Waves of disapproval emanated from them. They couldn’t understand why we were inside playing cards rather than huddled outside dodging raindrops and lightning bolts.
Sure enough, as they turned to leave, one stopped to ask, “Did any of you hear the fire alarm go off?”
All nodded. (Even those few who had left their hearing aids at home on their dressers.)
“And none of you exited the building? You just kept playing cards?’
All nodded again.
Hearing no apology and sensing no sign of remorse, he turned from us in disgust and followed the other firefighters down the hall.
Figuring they had a handle on the situation, we returned our calm and concentrated attention to the cards in our hands.
Aah . . . that’s better!
Spirit Lights The Way 