Earlier today I stumbled onto a blog that gleefully announced that Hollywood is burning down. The vapid knucklehead must not read the news or have looked at a map because thus far Hollywood is far removed from the flames.
But for me the fires are never far from my mind. I have friends and family members whose homes are in danger. But even if I did it the smoke filled sky is a reminder that a relatively short distance away there are people losing everything.
Mother Nature has a way of humbling us, reminding us that we are not so big that we cannot be brought low.
My children and I have had more than one discussion about the fires. They are close enough that the schools are not allowing the children to play outdoors as the air quality is not good. Soccer practices were canceled too.
Outside of my home I can see a red glow. It is a reminder of my own experience. I was evacuated from a forest fire in 1985. Somewhere in the blog there is a post about it, but I don't feel like searching for it.
As I look through the rooms in my house I can see all sorts of family treasures. There are heirlooms that have been passed down and things that may one day become heirlooms. I look at the pictures of my children. I look at the pictures of family members that are gone. I look at pictures of my life and I wonder how painful it must be to lose it all.
There are things that you can replace. And certainly one should always be grateful for their health and safety, but then again there are those items that you can never get back.
My heart goes out to those people. My thanks to the brave fire fighters who fight to save lives and property not their own.
If ever there was a time I'd pray for rain or do a rain dance now would be the time.
California is burning.
6 comments:
Hi Jack,
Nice and thoughtful post. I was just commenting to Avi how scary the sky looks. I am all the way out in East Hollywood and I have ash on my car and the sky is that orange fire glow too.
My two step sisters were evacuated. One, in Santa Clarita, has been allowed back home. The other in Rancho Bernardo was lucky enough to find a hotel room and I believe they have been there for 3 days now. I know much around them has burned so I hope their home has remained safe.
Again, nice thoughts and I agree about the firefighters. Such brave men and women.
It's scary. In summer we often, unfortunately, have bushfires like that here. Due to drought, last year was particularly bad and there was terrible smoke haze over the city on many occasions.
Southern California is burning. Time to move north, Jack...
Tamara,
I hope that all is well with your family.
Sarah,
It is part of the price of living in paradise. I love my city, some things come with the territory.
Mark,
Move north into the land of the hated Giants. Feh on that.
You can always move east...middle east :)
It could happen.
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