Rights and Responsibilities

Today is going to be a long day and it will last most of the night as well.

I can only walk a few feet without being forced to sit because of unrelenting pain…I can stand for a minute or so.

Despite this, I have positioned two cat carriers at the front door.

I have separated essential medication from non essential and have situated them next to a backpack that already contains my laptop, a phone charger, and a  power brick.

I will go fill the car with gas shortly…as soon as my pain meds kick in enough to get to the car.

I have to be ready to evacuate myself, two cats, an elderly woman with advanced dementia, and a non communicative disabled brother.

I have no idea where the hell we would evacuate to.

Three years ago a fire burned much of my town to the ground.

I had to evacuate us then…I was unprepared that time.

I have to be prepared today as it is the 4th of July and and today many people around me will celebrate their freedom by setting off fireworks in 100 degree heat, despite what happened in 2020.

It’s their “right” to do so.

Their “rights” supercede the risk of setting fire to the town again, the risk to pets ,and the PTSD many veterans experience when the mortars explode.

Veterans aren’t the only ones who have PTSD…those of us who lived through the fires become anxious at even the smell of smoke in the summer.

As with many of the issues that plague us, all the talk is about “rights” and there is no conversation about “responsibility”.

I long ago gave up my “right” to fireworks in favor of my responsibility to love my neighbor as myself.

Unfortunately, due to my health, I’ll be unable to help my neighbors evacuate when the exercise of their rights results in the need to do so.

End of rant.

Have a happy and safe 4th of July…