The Power Went Out!

Image by vecstock on Freepik

I began reflecting on how life might have been like 100 years ago when very few people had electricity in their homes…it wasn’t until 1925 that even half of the households in the US had electricity! Even in the 1930’s if you lived in a farm house in the country you likely didn’t have electricity! That really doesn’t seem all that long ago to me.

It’s hard to imagine what it was like trying to stay warm and being able to see well enough on grey cloudy days and when it was dark outside to do much inside the house.

I am terribly spoiled. I wouldn’t have survived long 100 years ago! As it was I certainly was very happy when the power went back on and did so earlier doing than expected too.

It was however nice to just sit and enjoy the fire with the cats who also are spoiled and needed to cuddle with us to keep warm. There was no TV to watch, limited internet and cell phone use since we didn’t want to use up the batteries too soon just in case. And without the furnace making its noise we heard more of the birds busily chirping outside and the fire crackling inside. We made coffee with an old camping stove and boy did it hit the spot! It was a simple morning of just being.

I take so many things for granted…till the power goes out that is and I go without and find myself grateful for having those conveniences that I rely on so readily yet think so little about each day! I am especially grateful for all the crews of people who were out in the nasty cold weather we had fixing what needed to be repaired so that I could once again easily go about my day staying warm and in the light.

Yet there was real comfort in simply enjoying the light and warmth of the flickering fire and savoring my hot coffee that no amount of technology can ever provide!

What simple things bring real comfort to you?