Find the silver lining in storm clouds

Most of us go through our daily lives without thinking about the modern conveniences on which we depend — both utilities and emergency agencies.

There are people in our area who remember living without electricity or running water or indoor bathroom facilities. Many of the area residents tell of their childhood and drawing water from the well, walking to school, using an ice box to keep butter chilled. There wasn’t a full-time volunteer fire department or a large police department or road department.

This generation is dependent on electricity and running water and really doesn’t know how to function without it. They are dependent on the many government agencies that provide services for them. We need to recognize those blessings and express gratitude for them, to those who provide those services, and quit complaining when we’re deprived of them for a time.

The storms Monday night caused widespread electrical power outages which also caused internet power outages. Many of the telephones used by the school, city government and businesses are internet based — VoIP — voice over internet protocol, and were not working properly during the power outage.

When the electricity is off, one realizes how much light is provided by electrical devices, even if that is not the purpose. There’s the light from the glow of the illuminated clock radio, the light from the street lights outside. There’s the hum of the refrigerator and the sound of the air conditioning running. There’s the whir of the ceiling fans.

When the storm began its approach, I stood outside watching the tree tops swirl and sway. The lightning illuminated the leaves against the cloudy sky. The tree trunks bent, threatening to break. I could hear the leaves rustling before I could see them. The power of the storm was magnificent. Limbs and branches resounded off the roof and deck as they broke from their moorings and hit the wooden surface.

The scanner continuously resounded with tones for various police, fire and ambulance departments. At one point, a dispatcher said she had 50 calls. When we are safe in our homes, do we think about the people working through the night for the safety of the community?

Fire Department and Road Department personnel were dispatched to several locations to remove trees from roadways. By that time, it was raining, too, and they were still out working in the storms.

Thankfully, although there were trees and tree limbs down, a few houses damaged and fences downed, there was no loss of life.

Maybe this is a good opportunity to remember the blessings and thank those who serve us, very often without our awareness of it.

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Editor’s note: Annette Beard is the managing editor of The Times of Northeast Benton County, chosen the best small weekly newspaper in Arkansas for five years. The opinions expressed are those of the writer. She can be reached at abeard@nwaonline.com.