There are a lot of forest fires going on in the USA right now. And a lot of flooding in the other half of the country. Water or fire and smoke, either way, it’s a miserable way to live right now.

I feel guilty complaining about my problem with the smoke, after all there are hundreds of fire fighters out there trying to get it under control, and waiting for the rain just like we are. Only they are in the middle of it.

But I also have friends that are equally effected by the smoke. One friend who has a little boy with asthma, and a pregnant wife struggling to just breath. And I’m right there with them.

I saw a thing on twitter a few weeks ago when we had the first round of fires saying “Why are you complaining about the smoke, there are people out there risking their lives,” and I have to say it’s a bit of a false equivalency. Yes, they are out there risking their lives, and I’m grateful that they are trying. I don’t think they’re going to be able to stop the fires, but maybe they can slow them down. Maybe they can put out a few of them until the rain comes. If the rain ever comes.

But there are people who really are effected by the smoke too. Children, elderly, pregnant women, and people who have to work out in this stuff day in and day out. People who have legitimate reasons to share their hope that the fires will pass. Their frustration with the smoke. And their struggle to just live a normal life.

Just because someone lost a whole home doesn’t mean the person who just lost their garage isn’t also hurting….We each have our struggles.

And that’s my five.