The Fire
The Great Chicago Fire of 1871 was fed by an abundance of wood. There were wooden streets, homes and buildings made of wood, raw lumber sat piled high in factory yards and a there was a storehouse of wood items produced in the mills. There had also been a dry spell, with no rain for a long time. The blaze started easily and as the fire grew stronger, so did high winds.
The city was also slow to react, not weighing these factors or the severity of the situation. And the horse drawn fire trucks moved slowly. As a result, the fire burned out of control on those autumn days. In its devastation, hundreds were killed, thousands more left homeless and 73 miles of street along with
17,500 buildings were destroyed.
As the embers cooled, cities across the globe sent money and supplies. People worked together and started to rebuild. Within 3 months 300,000 buildings were constructed and there was enough industry to create new jobs. Chicago grew strong. Everyone learned from the experience. A better fire alarm system with a quicker response time was put in place. The old system failed.
In the last month, Americans, New Yorkers in particular, have been saying goodbye to cathedrals of our youth. Paul Newman has died. Astroland in Coney Island closed it gates. The last ball game was played at House That Ruth Built, Yankee Stadium. Shea Stadium, home of the Mets, now follows suit. Wall Street, though unexpected, began the process of closing many of its labyrinth doors.
It had climbed into bed with the devil and set itself on fire, the blaze fed by an abundance of greed. The country was slow to react, not weighing these factors or the severity of the situation. As a result the fire is burning out of control on these autumn days. In its devastation, the inferno has spread to Main Street.
How long before this fire goes out? Will a better fire alarm system with a quicker response time be put into place? The old system failed.
How will we rise from the ashes? In the martial way, the warrior is aware that often survival itself is the victory. It is more than physical strength and training. It is a space to source our inner power. Our discipline now calls us to action, tests our endurance and asks for our resiliency. It is a time to rebuild.
Toni Josephson
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