We here in Sioux Falls were again reminded of the fragility of our existence on this planet during the recent destructive ice storm. Those of us without power or heat for nearly a week, spent copious hours examining and reexamining the hand Mother Nature had dealt us. Yet, as disasters go, when compared with what occurred in Moore, Oklahoma yesterday; ours was a fairly banal event. The cleanup in Sioux Falls has gone fairly smoothly and- -no one was killed.

Human beings, in general, like being in control; having it, craving it and taking it dominate the thoughts of people across the globe. The natural world has no such delusions; it is in control.

My mom used to quote the author of “Imitation of Christ”, Thomas a Kempis, on a regular basis, saying, “Man proposes but God disposes”. It was her way of trying to make sense of the absurdly random nature of existence itself.

Some people would use this philosophy to simply stop trying, discontinue living, and cease caring. Thank goodness, the majority of humankind is genetically predisposed to persevere.

Horrific events of the past several months have bent and (and in some instances), broken our national psyche. This is by no means the first time, nor will it be the last. But tenacity, grit and persistence are woven into the fabric that is humanity. Until those characteristics re-emerge, prayer and hope will have to suffice.

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