Path of Destruction

When we find ourselves on a path of destruction, it may mean we ignored the caution cone warning us to stop and take a look where we are and where we're headed. It also may mean, we were moving too fast to slow down and change course.

I thought it was fitting that I got to view some of the storm damage on Highway 54 near Nekoosa on my way to see my nephew in Black River Falls.

It appears Thursday's storm must have downed many, many trees in the Wood County Forest area. Judging from cleanup piles on both sides of the road, some must have blocked the highway or at least a lane of traffic.

Riverside Park in Nekoosa also saw damage.

Trees of all sizes were snapped off or simply uprooted and blown over.

Yikes.

Just because we know a storm is coming, doesn't mean we know exactly what it's going to bring. Just because it has the "potential" to produce strong winds, dangerous lightning and hail, doesn't mean it will. Then again, we might get all three.

I believe my nephew has experienced all three. Unfortunately for him, the storm produced alcoholism, post-traumatic stress disorder (after service in Iraq) and a felony conviction.

Where to start the cleanup with that storm!

Believe me, it was a mess. But he is doing an amazing job dealing with the damage.

After serving time over in the prison in Winnebago County, he has now earned the right to participate in a treatment program of sorts at the correctional facility in Black River Falls. Still part of the Wisconsin prison system, but with a focus on "storm cleanup."

I was blessed to spend the afternoon with him, sitting at a picnic table in the shade and hearing about his program and progress. He is doing some things that would be hard for any of us to do: Looking back at his path of destruction, determining what went wrong and why, and what he could have done differently. Not to dwell on it, but rather to learn from it and use that to make the appropriate behavioral decisions in the future.

Sounds like he's in the right place!

I hope he finds the answers he needs, bring order to his mess, and arm himself with the proper mindset going forward. He's feeling very positive about it. It's like visiting a different person than a year ago. Amazing. So proud of him and continue to hope for the best.

I was encouraged by the visit and even more so when I saw a sign that could direct all of us onto the right path.

Is it that easy to change course? Doesn't hurt to try.