I want to start this column by thanking my co-worker/partner, Wyndi, for insisting I take last week to see my family in the Beaumont area.
It had been far too long since I had seen most of them and it felt good getting to visit them while not having to worry about the paper left in the capable hands of Wyndi and Cindy.
The burn ban and fireworks were being scrutinized even as I left, so I was keenly aware of every fireworks stand as I traveled south and I could tell the other areas that were hurting for rainfall and nervous at the prospect of recreational explosives.
After making it to my cousin’s house, rainfall set in and continued for two days limiting our visit to hanging around the house and visiting some stores/ restaurants.
I stood on the back porch and grass several times and realized just how dry our area has been this year because the rain felt so foreign.
As July 4 came around, I was sad to see pictures shared like the hillside in Fort Worth that lit up following the ignition of fireworks.
I was grateful to hear that there were no major grassfires reported in Erath County. Of course, this followed some tough decisions to stop the sale and use of fireworks in the county unless supervised.
Thanks to the volunteers who set up a safe space on Sunday night for people to set off the fireworks they already purchased. Thanks to the stand owners who realized how much our area was hurting and the risk that fireworks could present on our dry pastures. Thanks to everyone who opted out of personally using fireworks this 4th of July, realizing that the expression of their freedom shouldn’t come at the risk of their neighbor’s property. Lets keep praying for rain and hopefully, we can celebrate our freedom with family and friends in grand fashion next year.