Greetings wonderful community,
Before the devastating fires in Los Angeles, I wrote a different post which I may share later but at this time, I wanted to thank everyone for their love and generous support these past two weeks. Words can’t fully describe the emotional roller coaster, devastation, gratitude, community, and uncertainty. I was evacuated for a week and am safely back in my home. However, my bags are still packed by the front door since the high Santa Ana winds are back today through the week. Some of these winds swept through at 100 mph. The magnitude of the fires is unprecedented and everyone I know in LA is still trying to process.
An extra spoonful of gratitude to my amazing dear friend, Suzy, for providing me a safe and welcoming home with her snuggle bug, Golden Doodle, Lucy. No one should have to go through this type of event alone yet many do and I am forever grateful to Suzy. Bonus points for Suzy suggesting we take a drive to see the ocean in the part of Santa Monica that was still open. It was therapeutic to see the vast blue ocean amidst the fiery skies despite me looking like a bad version of Marie Antoinette from smearing way too much mineral white sunscreen all over my face and being too tired to care until I ran into the only other two people on our path.
“Maura?, is that you?” All I needed was some lipstick smeared on my lips and cheeks and then I’d channel Bette Davis in Whatever Happened to Baby Jane,” but alas, I provided a lot of laughter at my expense. We all needed that. Tip from Mo: When you apply mineral sunscreen, start with a pearl size rather than a silver dollar.
LA Strong offers great ways to give.
CA GOV provides important resources for anyone impacted by the fires and the fire victims. I’ve been adding things to my “Go Bags,” and started a detailed list of what to include. It’s so difficult to think of what to pack when time is of the essence and you’re in panic mode. This was my third time being evacuated from my home due to fires and no, I have not mastered a concise list. My sister, once I was safely back home, told me, “You did better this time. I mean you didn’t pack a raw Delicata Squash,” which is the only thing I grabbed the first time I was evacuated before 4:00 am. What the heck was I thinking? Exactly! I wasn’t. My goal was to get out safely, period. You never know how you’ll react in an emergency especially when the fires are blazing so please, create a list, make a “Go Bag,” and be sure to include all of your important documents and printed phone numbers in case there is no cell/ internet service or power.
Secret Los Angeles posted this handy list on Instagram:
I read some amazing posts about how to offer people affected by trauma, and hope you’ll find them as enlightening as I did:
Instead of asking, “How are you?” ask, “How can I support you?” Instead of asking, “Are you safe?” ask, “Are you safe at this moment?”
And, God love the Firefighters who worked 24/7 for over a week. Their steadfast dedication to our safety is humbling and I am forever grateful to their bravery and love. They are the true heroes.
Here are two views of the Palisades Fire from our garage the night we were evacuated.
Please stay safe everyone and here’s to a brighter February.
xo,
Mo
So very glad you’re safe and your house is too! And the white mineral sunscreen is definitely a throwback but you rock it girl!