Many thoughts. Little time. Six words.: 2016

Today, we visited the staging area about 1.5 miles from our house (at the RGNS middle school campus, just beyond the turn-around point when we take the dogs for a walk down our road).

We snapped a photo.

The fire fighters reported that the fire was "behaving" ... They're currently able to hold the fire line and are hopeful that this evening's controlled burns will decrease the fuel for the fire that continues to rage on Rock Mountain.

We exhaled.

When we asked the crews if they needed anything ... They reported that the community is taking great care of them, and they are all set for now.

We blinked back tears and nodded.

When we REALLY think about it, fighting these fires in the middle of a national forest is an incredibly daunting task. WHERE do they penetrate? HOW do they clear the density? WHEN will they reach the turning point?

We shake our heads in disbelief and humility.

We've been breathing smoke for weeks, but when we finally saw the line and acknowledged the embers are blazing RIGHT THERE it got real.

WE ARE THANKFUL.

Those who have been working for WEEKS to fight the good fight have gained significant ground each and every day.

THEY HAVEN'T BEEN DETERRED BY THE SLOW NATURE OF THEIR PROGRESS. They've persevered.

We'll toast them tomorrow night, in our warm house, while breathing relatively clean air and looking our loved ones in the faces while eating our dinner of thanksgiving.