Occasionally, I just wish I could turn back the clock. Such wishful thinking was particularly acute after I inadvertently made a blunder that resulted in totally unexpected consequences. Yesterday, I was sent a list of blog ideas for 2020. Nothing grabbed my blogging mind during a quick scan of the topics. Not to worry, life happens, and in an instant, it provided a topic never dreamt of in my wildest dreams. Let me explain. Imagine this scenario – a dreary Friday afternoon, just the perfect setting to enjoy a cup of tea and a homemade cookie while reading, “A Better Man”, by Louise Penny. Homemade Christmas cookies always taste best when you eat them freshly baked. The one I selected had become hard and was stuck to another cookie. To soften them, I popped them into the microwave for a couple of seconds. First mistake. Wouldn’t you know it, suddenly the microwave began to spew greyish smoke. As it wasn’t a lot, I opened the door to the hallway to help dissipate it. Second mistake. The smoke gently floated through the door, and yes, you guessed it – set off the fire alarm! You know what I mean; it’s that horrible, shrill chirping that goes on and on and wouldn’t be stilled until those imposing men, dressed in firefighter garb, appeared to check out the situation, and me, the culprit.
In hindsight, I was stunned at how two innocuous little cookies could set off such a dramatic incident. Thankfully, it was just a bit of smoke that brought three firefighters to the scene of the crime. Just like the man in the novel I am reading, they were efficient, kind “better men” who commiserated with me, and were grateful that nothing terrible had happened. Yes, they did what they had to do, in such a kindly manner which helped me feel less embarrassed about the whole sorry saga. When I caught sight of the offending cookies sitting on the counter, I quickly fetched a bag of chocolate gingerbread hearts from the cupboard. Well, wouldn’t you know it, these firefighters loved those cookies! There were smiles all around as my unfortunate incident ended on a happy note.
May God bless and protect all firefighters who have such tough jobs saving people, homes, and extinguishing devastating fires such as the ones that have recently ravaged Australia. Considering what it could have been, I am grateful that this unfortunate incident turned out to be merely a tempest in a tea pot.
- Sr. Magdalena Vogt, CPS