I remember when y'all were on your way back to Ohio. There is a pic of all of us when you came through Indiana standing in a row by the horses. I think you might have that picture. I also remember seeing you in California on our way back from Japan. Your house was cute. I cherish those memories. I actually have never been to LA since except to the train station and the airport. I usually go to San Diego or the bay area where Emilia lives. During my life, I have had three homes damaged or destroyed by fire: in Japan, Louisiana, and Taos County NM. But only the homes were affected and thankfully not the entire area. I live in the dry southwest known for huge fires. But I love it here. Emilia, when she was in her 20s, was a "hotshot" with several national forest fire teams. So fires have been a significant part of our lives. Love Lisa
Lisa -- I didn't know you'd visited us in California! And I certainly remember the photo of all of us in a row at your Brown County house, which I always thought was magical. I knew Emilia had been a hotshot; wow, what an incredible service. Something about fire seems so elemental, so biblical, though I understand your love for that beautiful place. Thanks so much for reading. xoxo, L.
I really enjoyed your article, Leanne. There are so many decisions ahead for all of the stakeholders affected by the devastating fires in the months and years ahead. my heart goes out to all of those individuals and families who lost everything. And utmost respect for all of the fire, police, medical staff and first responders who risked their lives to help under deplorable and mostly insurmountable conditions. The impact on all certainly tests the limits of the human spirit. On a lighter note, I enjoyed the story of your family's early life in the LA area. Your collective life experiences play a role in defining who you are today. Great work!
Thanks for this article Leanne. I have been thinking a lot about L.A. and the fires. Grace and I have talked a lot about it. She thinks of it as her 2nd home. Her friends childhood homes are threatened. My ex brother-in-law and my nephew lost their homes. My other nephew's home almost caught fire, his fence caught some embers but luckily he escaped that for now. My sister's former home was in the Palisades and would have surely burnt to the ground. It was in the heart of where the fire was there. I can't wrap my head around how it must feel to lose all of your possessions and with it all those precious memories of beloved moments. Even if your home is standing if everything else is gone what do you do? Fire attacks homes no matter how much or how little you have leaving everyone in the same place, shattered and homeless. I am writing a book about the trauma firefighters and other first responders face. They have been paramount in my thoughts as I see what they are up against. It is heartening to see how the local people and people around the country have banded together to offer support and help those impacted. I hope that support continues as people have to face the tough choices ahead.
Wow, Iris, I had momentarily forgotten about all of your family connections to California. And I didn't know about your book -- what an important topic, as we rely on our first responders in increasingly difficult situations. Thanks for your good work.
I never knew you were a California girl.
I remember when y'all were on your way back to Ohio. There is a pic of all of us when you came through Indiana standing in a row by the horses. I think you might have that picture. I also remember seeing you in California on our way back from Japan. Your house was cute. I cherish those memories. I actually have never been to LA since except to the train station and the airport. I usually go to San Diego or the bay area where Emilia lives. During my life, I have had three homes damaged or destroyed by fire: in Japan, Louisiana, and Taos County NM. But only the homes were affected and thankfully not the entire area. I live in the dry southwest known for huge fires. But I love it here. Emilia, when she was in her 20s, was a "hotshot" with several national forest fire teams. So fires have been a significant part of our lives. Love Lisa
Lisa -- I didn't know you'd visited us in California! And I certainly remember the photo of all of us in a row at your Brown County house, which I always thought was magical. I knew Emilia had been a hotshot; wow, what an incredible service. Something about fire seems so elemental, so biblical, though I understand your love for that beautiful place. Thanks so much for reading. xoxo, L.
I really enjoyed your article, Leanne. There are so many decisions ahead for all of the stakeholders affected by the devastating fires in the months and years ahead. my heart goes out to all of those individuals and families who lost everything. And utmost respect for all of the fire, police, medical staff and first responders who risked their lives to help under deplorable and mostly insurmountable conditions. The impact on all certainly tests the limits of the human spirit. On a lighter note, I enjoyed the story of your family's early life in the LA area. Your collective life experiences play a role in defining who you are today. Great work!
Thanks for this article Leanne. I have been thinking a lot about L.A. and the fires. Grace and I have talked a lot about it. She thinks of it as her 2nd home. Her friends childhood homes are threatened. My ex brother-in-law and my nephew lost their homes. My other nephew's home almost caught fire, his fence caught some embers but luckily he escaped that for now. My sister's former home was in the Palisades and would have surely burnt to the ground. It was in the heart of where the fire was there. I can't wrap my head around how it must feel to lose all of your possessions and with it all those precious memories of beloved moments. Even if your home is standing if everything else is gone what do you do? Fire attacks homes no matter how much or how little you have leaving everyone in the same place, shattered and homeless. I am writing a book about the trauma firefighters and other first responders face. They have been paramount in my thoughts as I see what they are up against. It is heartening to see how the local people and people around the country have banded together to offer support and help those impacted. I hope that support continues as people have to face the tough choices ahead.
Wow, Iris, I had momentarily forgotten about all of your family connections to California. And I didn't know about your book -- what an important topic, as we rely on our first responders in increasingly difficult situations. Thanks for your good work.