Waldo Canyon Fire

The last four days have been a nightmare, and literal disaster here in Colorado Springs.  The Waldo Canyon Fire started west of the city on Saturday afternoon, and yesterday afternoon there was a thunderstorm up north in the Denver area which whipped up winds here to 65mph -  turning the wildfire directly into The Springs.  The scene was straight out of an apocalypse film.  As my wife and I headed home from downtown I caught my first glimpse of the northwest side of town that was going up in flames.  I couldn't help but start crying.  I lived about 2 hours from the Bay Area when the quake of 89 happened and I remember feeling the shaking; but this is unlike anything I've been involved with.  During that time I was not really affected, but could see the tragedy unfold on the TV.  With our situation here I have friends who've more than likely lost homes to this monster fire; my mother in law has been evacuated; my wife and I have let people know that our home is available to them.

The feeling of this is like a barbell that I couldn't quite bench-press and it's now sitting on my chest.

The scene at about 5pm last night. (Driving south on I25, looking west.)

But this is what I want to be: 

I want to be a source of peace.  

I want to be a giver instead of a taker.  

I want to remind you that we'll make it through.

Here's what I made to encourage us.  I took this photo the first day of the fire.