In the Aftermath

​CHRISTMAS 2024

The above photo is all of my family gathered on Christmas morning. I am so grateful that we were all together, dogs included, of course!

I thought 2025 would be a year of new beginnings, as we welcome our first grandson into the world. I thought it would be a time of family gatherings at our children's homes, about 90 minutes north of us. I thought, "This will be a great year!"

And then the fires came.

On Tuesday night, January 7, firestorms blazed across southern California, fueled by drought and high-powered winds. All of our children had to evacuate their homes. We stayed up all night watching the flames move closer to our son and wife's home in Pasadena. They live in the midst of a charming neighborhood known for Christmas decorations. People come from miles around to walk the streets and admire the festive displays. We walked those sidewalks on December 14, after a baby shower for our grandson, arriving mid-February.

Many of those homes are gone, much of that charming neighborhood destroyed by fires. 

Our son and wife's home survived, but they cannot yet return until the house is cleared of toxins and it's safe to go back. Whether or not the air will be safe for a newborn, who knows? It's a frightening time.

In the midst of the horror, we are grateful. Grateful that all of our family escaped and survived. Grateful that there were family homes for them to escape to. Grateful that a home is still standing. But in the midst of our gratitude, we grieve for all those who lost their lives, their homes, their neighborhoods, those who had no safe place to go.

I am trying to follow the advice of Mr. Rogers who said, “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, "Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.”

I am looking for the helpers. And I am finding them everywhere.

I find the helpers in all those who have reached out to us.

I find the helpers in those who donate to organizations committed to helping.

I find the helpers in neighbors and local friends who have offered food, doggie care, whatever we need.
 
I find the helpers in a young man from the church we served in Wildwood. He is a firefighter in Montana, who travels around the world during the off-season to work in food kitchens and do whatever he can to help, including gathering funds and supplies to buy food and drinks for the firefighters, and delivering these items in the middle of the night when exhaustion is extreme.

I find the helpers in those who pray.

Let's keep looking for the helpers. Let's be the helpers. Let's grieve with those who grieve and not dismiss their grief.

Look for the helpers. Be one of the helpers. And feel free to share on my post how you are being a helper. I'd appreciate if you leave comments on this post so we can all help one another.

The helpers bring us hope in a time when the world seems dark and despairing.

Below are links to ways that you can help reach out and help. In the meantime, let us all be kind to one another.

Bless you, my friends.

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The following helpful information is from a friend: 

 Direct Relief: A Southern California-based relief organization that does disaster relief work all around the world and is providing support in LA too. Information about their services and donations can be found at Direct Relief.

American Red Cross: On the ground support to Southern California residents helping to
provide safe shelter, food, emotional support, and health services. To contribute,
go to Red Cross. 
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Salvation Army – Southern California Division: Operates a disaster services fund that supports evacuees and first responders of California wildfires. Donations are being accepted online at Salvation Army - Southern California Division. 

Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation: Provides equipment for firefighters and funds critical programs to help the Los Angeles Fire Department protect communities and save lives. Donations to the foundation can be made online at the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation.
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California Fire Foundation: Works with local fire agencies and community-based organizations to provide ongoing support to California communities affected by wildfires and other natural disasters. The foundation is taking donations online at California Fire Foundation.