With the exception for that five or 10 minutes in October, or those 10 to 15 minutes in April, where the weather — for just those few minutes — is absolutely perfect, we are never satisfied with the weather.

It is either too cold or too hot, too dry or too wet. For those of us in the South, it is quite common for us to start the day out using our heaters in the morning and blaring the AC in the afternoon, only to use the heat again in the evening.

But this year, we can all agree the past few months have been far too dry.

The weather earlier this week, while it brought high winds, lightning and possible tornadoes, it did bring some beneficial rains to some areas. The rain this weekend was also welcome.

While many of us have complained about the dry weather, there have been those amongst us who have been on alert because of the lack of rain.

The statewide burn ban, which was partially lifted Friday by Gov. Phil Bryant, was a time when local fire departments, primarily those in the county, were on constant alert.

Over the recent weeks, departments in the county responded to dozens of grass fires and brush fires that, if gone unchecked, could have destroyed anything in their path.

The volunteers of these county departments often do not get the recognition they deserve, but without their service and commitment to community, homes and property would go unprotected.

We truly appreciate their service over the past few weeks as any cigarette butt, highway spark or lightning strike could have set of a fire.

Not only are we thankful for the rain, we are thankful for those who stand ready to help.