I’m so sorry for the people in LA. I’m wishing your family well on a long journey to recover some part of what was lost. 💗It really does make you appreciate the basics like you said. Tight hug, my friend.
I can see where people would be like, "They're rich. They can rebuild. They've got more than one house, etc.", because the news is making it all about the celebrities. Seems like they only want to talk to the celebrities who've lost their homes; not regular folks, not business owners, not the school principal who no longer has a school to preside over.
A few times, they've showed "regular" people standing on their roofs, wetting down their home while the one next to theirs is burning to the ground but I feel like the main focus has been celebrities. My heart breaks for the kids, though, who've probably never in their life had to evacuate THE ONLY HOME THEY'VE EVER KNOWN. I can't imagine the therapy they'll need after this.
Living in AZ, we're prone to wildfires as well. But man... it's never been this bad for us. This is, like, un. Real. Mother Nature can be so unforgiving.
Hi Ororo and thank you so much for your comment! I don't get the US news here but I know it well enough to know they're focusing on the celebs, like Paris Hilton, who lost her house. It's really a mistake because normal people can't relate to celeb problems and it makes a lot of people resentful. The NYT, which has its own issues, is doing a few exposes on the average citizens and it's beyond heartbreaking. You're right about the children and the principle and yesterday there was an article about all the teachers who are now out of work :(
I LOVE Arizona so much but yes you are prone to wildfires there too :(
I guess we have to be regularly "reminded" that mother nature is truly the one in charge, not us!!!
Sending you thoughts and prayers, Kimberley Anne. These are terrible times and I feel for you. I am glad there has been some small element of reprieve for you in reconnecting with family during this time.
I was involved in a truly terrible fire in Australia in February 2009, in which 173 people were killed, and double that number died in the heatwave that preceded it. My job was only to record the experiences of the forensic teams who managed the identification of victims, and while the fire did not touch me personally I will never, ever forget or get over what I saw and recorded in the days and weeks of that disaster.
Fire is terrifying, its impact - visceral or direct - is devastating, and we are all affected by what we see and know and fear.
Thank you for sharing this. I was born and grew up in LA, living there until I was 21 years old. Like you I have cried and grieved over the devastation and loss from these fires. It's as though my childhood, the places I remember, the people I remember - and most are not celebrities and wealthy folks as the media tends to focus on - the parks and shops, the flowers in the yards, all of it has flashed before me with the vividness that childhood memories have. Each time I see a new photo or hear another story, the depth of sorrow I feel overwhelms me and I cannot stop crying for the loss of what has happened to my childhood home.
Oh I'm so sorry to hear this Karen. I think we have a deep connection because it's all we knew growing up. Yeah, I think the media focuses on celebs because that's what "sells". Many people in the world care more about a star than an unknown real person. It's partly why the US is in a conundrum now IMO.
This breaks my heart in a million pieces, I am so sorry for your parents and all the loss that is happening : ( I don't know what it can do, but I am sending you a big hug.
So sorry to hear about your friends and family who have been affected by the fire. I've been in LA for 6 years and thankfully haven't had to evacuate (yet). This is so surreal and heart-wrenching to see the scale of the destruction.
I’m so sorry for the people in LA. I’m wishing your family well on a long journey to recover some part of what was lost. 💗It really does make you appreciate the basics like you said. Tight hug, my friend.
Thank you so much sweetie!! I appreciate you!!!!!
Kimberly Anne, my heart goes out to you, your family, friends, and all of Los Angeles.
Thank you so much Barbara ❤️🩹
I can see where people would be like, "They're rich. They can rebuild. They've got more than one house, etc.", because the news is making it all about the celebrities. Seems like they only want to talk to the celebrities who've lost their homes; not regular folks, not business owners, not the school principal who no longer has a school to preside over.
A few times, they've showed "regular" people standing on their roofs, wetting down their home while the one next to theirs is burning to the ground but I feel like the main focus has been celebrities. My heart breaks for the kids, though, who've probably never in their life had to evacuate THE ONLY HOME THEY'VE EVER KNOWN. I can't imagine the therapy they'll need after this.
Living in AZ, we're prone to wildfires as well. But man... it's never been this bad for us. This is, like, un. Real. Mother Nature can be so unforgiving.
Hi Ororo and thank you so much for your comment! I don't get the US news here but I know it well enough to know they're focusing on the celebs, like Paris Hilton, who lost her house. It's really a mistake because normal people can't relate to celeb problems and it makes a lot of people resentful. The NYT, which has its own issues, is doing a few exposes on the average citizens and it's beyond heartbreaking. You're right about the children and the principle and yesterday there was an article about all the teachers who are now out of work :(
I LOVE Arizona so much but yes you are prone to wildfires there too :(
I guess we have to be regularly "reminded" that mother nature is truly the one in charge, not us!!!
So sorry to hear about your home town and your dad. Some really beautiful insights here. ❤️
Thank you so much Kaila!!!! I really appreciate your comment!!!!
Sending you thoughts and prayers, Kimberley Anne. These are terrible times and I feel for you. I am glad there has been some small element of reprieve for you in reconnecting with family during this time.
I was involved in a truly terrible fire in Australia in February 2009, in which 173 people were killed, and double that number died in the heatwave that preceded it. My job was only to record the experiences of the forensic teams who managed the identification of victims, and while the fire did not touch me personally I will never, ever forget or get over what I saw and recorded in the days and weeks of that disaster.
Fire is terrifying, its impact - visceral or direct - is devastating, and we are all affected by what we see and know and fear.
Stay strong.
Oh Jan, I'm so sorry to hear about that. I do remember hearing about it in '09. I was in China that year.
I cannot imagine how horrible that must have been to record the experiences of the forensic teams.
Fire is terrifying and all consuming :(
Thank you so much for your kind words and for sharing your experiences!
Thank you for sharing this. I was born and grew up in LA, living there until I was 21 years old. Like you I have cried and grieved over the devastation and loss from these fires. It's as though my childhood, the places I remember, the people I remember - and most are not celebrities and wealthy folks as the media tends to focus on - the parks and shops, the flowers in the yards, all of it has flashed before me with the vividness that childhood memories have. Each time I see a new photo or hear another story, the depth of sorrow I feel overwhelms me and I cannot stop crying for the loss of what has happened to my childhood home.
Oh I'm so sorry to hear this Karen. I think we have a deep connection because it's all we knew growing up. Yeah, I think the media focuses on celebs because that's what "sells". Many people in the world care more about a star than an unknown real person. It's partly why the US is in a conundrum now IMO.
I empathize with your sorrow!!!
This breaks my heart in a million pieces, I am so sorry for your parents and all the loss that is happening : ( I don't know what it can do, but I am sending you a big hug.
Awww thank you so much Vicky!!!!!!!!!!
You’re very welcome! Thinking of you and your family ⭐️✨
So sorry to hear about your friends and family who have been affected by the fire. I've been in LA for 6 years and thankfully haven't had to evacuate (yet). This is so surreal and heart-wrenching to see the scale of the destruction.
Hi Claudia, thank you, I really hope you're all okay!!! I can't believe it's still burning and spreading :(
Sending thoughts of care and hope your way, and to all LA residents right now.
Thank you so much! I can hardly believe it's still burning!!!