Sometimes Interior Decorating Seems So Trivial

Tragedy struck very close to home last night. You may have heard of the fertilizer plant that exploded in a small Texas town called West.

West, Texas fertilizer plant explosion

It’s just a short drive up the highway from us. It’s so close, in fact, that it’s not unusual for Wacoans to make the short drive just to purchase kolaches and other goodies at one of the Czech bakeries there. (The Little Czech Bakery is my favorite.)

I live just a block from the interstate highway, so I heard a steady stream of sirens from firetrucks, ambulances, and police cars traveling back and forth to West for well over three hours last night.

I generally don’t discuss events like this on my blog. I figure that when things like this happen, people visit decorating blogs because they need a momentary escape from the tragedy. But when it’s so close to home it’s hard to ignore. And this morning, interior decorating seems so trivial to me.

Anyway, I hadn’t planned on posting at all today, but I’ve gotten a few emails from people asking if my family and I are okay. I appreciate your concerns! Yes, we’re okay, and as far as I know as this point, we don’t know anyone who was injured or killed by this tragedy.

What a sad and tragic week this has been! Let’s pray for peace and comfort over all who have been affected. And don’t miss the opportunity to tell your loved ones how much you love them. Call your parents. Hug your kids. Kiss your spouse. Life is fragile, and way too often we take it for granted.

Back to decorating tomorrow…

 

 

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23 Comments

  1. Trivial? Yes, and no. You are right in that decorating does not compare to the loss of life that has happened so dramatically this week and happens every day in less publicized ways. No, in that our homes are our sanctuaries. We need peace and beauty as a rest from, escape from, the hardness of life. Home is not always sanctuary. For many it is a place of strife and turmoil and chaos. But most of us seek peace. I think that’s why decor blogs are so popular. You who write them bring us a measure of hope that our own homes can be places of peace and beauty. You challenge us to move outside our comfort zones to work toward the possibility of that peace and beauty. You help in more ways than you know.

  2. I understand how you feel, once more I find myself glued to the TV watching as the aftermath of a tragedy unfolds before me. I am in San Antonio and sometimes the closer you are to an event the harder it seems. We, you know the universal “we”, do need people like you who inspire us and delight us with their creativity but we are all human and when we are reminded of how fragile life is a step back is often our first response. I hope no one you know and care about has been hurt. And you are an inspiration on many levels. Thanks!

  3. I didn’t know you were so close. We heard and felt the explosion even though we are further away. That bakery was a regular stop for us too, or was when my youngest was attending Baylor, and now just on the occasional trip that way.

  4. Thank you for this post. When we heard the news (Canada) I immediately had to think of you and another blogger I follow from Texas. Thank God you are okay! So sad. What on earth was a fertilizer plant doing in the middle of residential?? Not good at the best of times with all those chemicals! Prayers for all.

  5. We are approx. an hour north of West, TX and heard the explosion. So sad what happened. I didn’t realize you lived in Waco! You’re practically my neighbor!
    ~Beth

  6. I didn’t remember where you live, I am glad you are okay, and saddened by those lost and hurt. My husband is a chemist and he said nothing should have ever been built within two miles of that place. Interior Design isn’t THE most important thing in the world, but it’s also not trivial. It’s also at times like this you realize the comforts of home help to comfort your heart as well as your body and your please your eye. Being cozy and happy in your home can help people in many ways. Hang in there….

  7. It’s very sad:-( I actually wondered about you and your family after I read your about page and learned you were in Waco. I pray for all those people. We are leaving North Dallas to go to our sons baseball tournament in Round Rock tomorrow. Ill never stop at the Czech stop again without thinking if this sad tragedy:-(

  8. Wow, Kristi I’m so glad you are ok. It’s been a crazy week for sure. I pray for the families of everyone involved.

  9. It has indeed been a really rough year for many people across this country. Both natural and manmade disasters. Sometimes all we have to give is our prayers.

    I so agree with what Becky says, our homes and what we do to make them feel comfortable and safe does indeed mean a lot to many of us and provides a feeling of a safe haven, sometimes when we most need them.

  10. Glad you are safe. I think this is one of the sobering aspects of blogland… it kinds shortens the link to the tragedies such as the one in Boston and West. 🙁

  11. Isn’t it amazing how things affect us when it’s close enough to home? I’m down in San Antonio and still, when I first heard of this tragedy, I felt sick…and I was still a few hours away! The only peace I can find with the recent tragedies is that it brings us together as people and we shall prevail! God bless!~~Angela

  12. Growing up in a family of social workers, I always felt like interior design was trivial. My Mom always made a point to tell me that what we do is important because it helps give people a sanctuary. I totally understand your feelings of lacking importance in the face of tragedy, but remember that you’re helping people make cocoons for the people they love. Everyone needs a safe place to heal in; a warm place to call home.

  13. God bless you! I woke up this morning and turned on the news as I do each morning to hear them reporting from my grandfathers town of watertown mass 🙁 He’s been locked down in his house all day 🙁 I’ll pray for you and you pray for me <3

  14. I’m very glad you are okay. I’m so sorry for the families who lost loved ones in this fire and also those in Boston. It’s been a very stressful week for all Americans. I’m praying for comfort for those affected by these horrible events and also those who have been affected by the flooding in the midwest.