NaBloPoMo #7

A year ago, one of the most generous and genuinely NICE women I every worked with organized a drive to help out a family who was burned out in the Paradise CA fire.

We donated items needed - or money - or gift cards. And Lisa and another staff member drove them all up to where this family was living in a trailer.

I cannot even imagine having children (3 in this case) and losing literally every. single. thing. you. own.

Mind boggling that all you have are the clothes you were wearing and the few items you were able to save.

This family posted a one year later post on their blog. And showed exactly what they lost, and what they were able to find.....the frame of a bike....a Christmas angel....a climbing gym thing in the backyard...3 handprint stepping stones. Also what was left of her parent's house.

On June 28 she posted what is basically PTSD, and what common everyday things that can trigger absolute terror of another fire .I cannot even imagine.

 And this year there are more families facing this. But we are not hearing about them as much as we did last year. Because whole communities were not destroyed? Because we have been saturated with this kind of news? I don't know why.

Some firemen on the @Ellen Degeneris show talked about how few fires we really hear about. If it is not big enough, it doesn't make the news. And yet, no matter the size, someone(s) have had their lives devastated by something that is beautiful if it is in a controlled setting.

Please please please make sure you are taking all possible precautions - keeping weeds down, and brush trimmed back. Remember to have an emergency TO GO bag. Make sure you have contact information with you at all times.