September 3, 2014
By Larry B. Reinhold

The Reinhold Family still calls the event that began on October 3, 2013 and impacts us to this day, “The Storm”. I personally like what my friend, Bernie Hunfoff, has referred to it. He put a face and a heart to it as he referred to it as The Cattleman’s Blizzard. Real people were impacted. I realize that this is a spin from the “Children’s Blizzard” of the late 1800’s. The National Weather Service has simply dubbed it Atlas. The name was predetermined and since it was the first blizzard of the season… thus the letter “A”. Statistics and graphs may help historians, but for those of us that are in the midst of these incidents of nature, they are so much more. They are “Storms of Life” that can provide invaluable life lessons.

To look into the face of death will move nearly anyone. But to feel the pain of heartache one must look into the eye of death and recall the twinkle of life that was once there. I am not very fond of that glazed over eye that one sees at the moment of death. Actors cannot capture it because there is still life behind this organ that has been called the “window to the soul”. But out in the country, we as stewards of God’s creation and livestock have seen it more than once. Last October, we saw it multiplied over and over again. My wife, Robin, and I will never be the same. Our kids will never be the same. And in the midst of the pain and loss, our family will be better. We will hurt with others more readily. We will be more sensitive to the needs of the moment. We will be apt to be less careless with what has been entrusted to us. And certainly we saw things in the darkest of days that will be more appreciated when the sun shines.

The Storm brought together a sense of community that reached beyond barb wire. We in the ranching community have a rich heritage that extends beyond decades. And sometimes there is a lot of “baggage” that is accumulated in those relationships. How refreshing to see people extend a helping hand in the face of turmoil that followed that horrible blizzard.

The Storm brought a sense of community that reached beyond borders. We have been amazed by the efforts of people in other counties, states and countries in the restoration efforts. I will make a statement and it is not a cheap shot. “Our Government was not there to lend a hand.” Washington and Pierre were both slow to act and reaction has been suspect as well. What is amazing, however, is the grassroots efforts of the citizenry of this region and beyond. The entitlement mentality has not been evident. This does not relieve our government of its true responsibility, but perhaps those in government and all around the nation should take note of the sincere efforts of individuals working together in the face of adversity to help their brothers and sisters in need.

The storm brought “life lessons”. We have been amazed to watch people realize the value of living and life. “We live in the moment but not just for the moment.” I can only live right now. My actions of the present cannot erase the regrets of the past, but can help to restore. My actions of the present can provide building blocks for the future. The older people that went through the storm realize the temporal value of collecting stuff. A whole new perspective is realized when you watch muddy carcasses dumped into a hole. You cannot help but ponder what is really important. The young people that went through this storm will better appreciate life; their own, their family and their livestock.

The storm brought a real life example of why we need to depend upon God for strength and provision. I have told many, “We have been here before.” This is not the first disaster or difficulty that my family and I have experienced. But we can have hope in the face of the most difficult hardship when our trust is put into the never changing Almighty. I love the old song, “This world is not my home I am just passing through. My treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue.” Certainly we had tears flow for the loss of what had been entrusted to us. We knew from the get go that we could not replace and we did not want to… but we could rebuild. We will not forget the look of death in the eyes of what we cherished, but we will use that memory to drive us to a higher appreciation of what matters.

My two brothers, Lyle and Lee died in 1979. On that day, I saw the eyes of death as well. But just the day before on May 27th, Lyle shared a Scripture verse with us that encouraged us from that time forward. Isaiah 40:31 in the Bible says, “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”

We press on.

NOTE

The Reinhold Family lives on the Lonetree Ranch east of Sturgis, South Dakota. Larry and Robin along with their six children (Rachel 20, Molly 18, Danny 14, Caleb 12, Julia 9 and Kiersten 6) work together in the operation. Larry’s father, Tige, still resides at the ranch, too. They also operate Rainbow Bible Ranch, an outreach ministry to youth and their families, throughout the year as well. The Storm Atlas caused considerable damage as cattle and nearly 100 head of horses perished. Almost all the saddle horses used for the camp died. The family realized great blessings and a successful camp season was had with around 400 kids attended camp this summer.