California, I'm Yours

I appreciate your patience, with my absence from substack these last two weeks.

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Two weeks ago we watched as seemingly overnight beloved communities of LA burned to the ground. Over 10,000 homes were lost; a national disaster like we have never seen.

My dear childhood friend lost everything in the fires. I will forever remember her texts on that Monday as she was trying to get out of the Palisades—the fear, as the fire was approaching from behind them. Leaving Malibu or The Palisades is a nightmare anyway, with one lane on PCH going in each direction. When the fires hit, traffic was a complete disaster as people tried to flee their homes in panic. Many had to leave their cars on the road as they ran to safety.

The fires spread so quickly, that nobody had time to think about what they might want or need. I also don’t think anyone anticipated that the fires would grow as large as they did. Many of those affected by the fires, left their homes with just the clothes on their backs.

Imagine losing everything that meant anything to you. I think about the house that was built 50 or 60 years ago, that has been handed down to generations. Or the home that someone worked their whole life to build. The generation that is in their 70’s and 80’s or 90’s that have to start over. It is unimaginable really.

Some things just can’t be “replaced.” These include a family pet that someone couldn’t get to save in time. The most heartbreaking. There are things like heirloom jewelry from a family member who has passed and sentimental things like letters or photographs that don’t have a digital copy.

As someone who wasn’t directly impacted, it was extremely hard to sit back and watch this happening just 45 minutes from my home. My immediate response is what can we do?

Out of the sadness, anger, loss, and fear of the unknown, there is one thing that came out of this disaster, and that is a stronger sense of community. For the first time since I have lived here, I saw this city pull together like never before. Everyone put their politics, views, status, and ego aside to help those who needed our help.

I am not a feminist, but I am not afraid to say that WOMEN of LA deserve recognition for what was pulled together in a matter of hours.