When the Wind Blows

By Jerry Mack Grubbs

As the old story goes, the farm boy could sleep when the wind blew because he was prepared in all things. I have usually been able to sleep regardless of whether the wind blew. One night not long ago the wind was blowing against our family. It wasn’t a natural wind caused by the atmospheric pressure of one air mass rushing to meet another. It was the constant gentle breeze coming from the air conditioning vents of the houseboat.

That cool air coming from those vents was designed to refresh us as we enjoyed being together on a houseboat at Lake Powell in celebration of our thirty-third family reunion. But in truth that cool air, that gentle artificial breeze was gradually poisoning us with carbon monoxide. With hind sight we could have done more to be prepared but this night, July 10th, 2007, we would have our metal tested as we dealt with an emergency far more serious than wind rocking our houseboat.

The natural wind did rock our houseboat later that night. As the wind increased in velocity one shore anchor gave way allowing the houseboat to weathervane into the wind. Sleeping bags, pillows, towels and clothing left lying on the deck of the houseboat were being blown into the water. Much of the effort to secure personal possessions that had not already been blown into the water was accomplished before I arrived back at the houseboat.

As I returned to the houseboat my mind wasn’t on the wind or on the houseboat. I was just going through the mechanical motions to secure the boat. We cranked the engines, letting the props hold the boat steady in the wind while we drilled more anchor holes in the sandstone rock of the shore. Within minutes we had four additional ropes securing the houseboat against the storm. I knew that the wind would stop blowing and personal gear could be replaced. My worry and concern was for my family members who were at the Bullfrog Emergency Medical Clinic being treated for carbon monoxide poisoning. Thirty-two people were transported to the clinic and twenty-two tested with levels of poisoning high enough to be admitted for treatment.

As the real wind of adversity blew against our family that night, I am thankful that emergency personnel were on duty and prepared to give us assistance. I am also mindful and grateful for the events that seemed to just fall into place as we grappled with our emergency. You may call those events coincidences. Neal A. Maxwell is quoted as having said, “There are no coincidences in life.” I agree with his statement. I believe we were in larger hands that night.