” When you’re evacuating from a wild fire it’s hard to decide what to take with you.”
My ability to write provides a path for expression about my life experiences. I am often moved to write when my feelings about a thing run high. Maybe a part of being a writer is the need to chronicle your life.
I thought we had been lucky and avoided the fire season in our section of Southern California. But as it often happens, the fires have their own secret plans. We were evacuated from our home a little over 10 years ago in the middle of the night so this time we decided not to wait until the evacuation order to get packed. Experiencing an evacuation does that to you. You know it can come suddenly, with little warning, and you must go. There had been no evacuation orders yet but we were busy gathering a few mementos and family photos, our wedding album, videos of our kids growing up and my son’s bar mitzvah, a small photo album of my son’s wedding, a few precious notes from my daughter, our kid’s baby shoes…It’s hard to decide and remember what to take with you. My son and daughter in law had to pack up all the equipment in their car for my little baby grandson, just in case. It’s not just the fires but the threat of power outages. Some medical equipment he needs requires electricity. We talked about them coming to our house or her parents depending on who loses power. If all of us lose power they may have to go into West LA to other family. We can see the smoke in the air and hope the Santa Ana winds die out soon.
This post is for One Liner Wednesday hosted by Linda G Hill and the monthly post for the Insecure Writers Support Group, #IWSG , Co-Hosts: Julie Flanders, Shannon Lawrence, Fundy Blue, and Heather Gardner!
Oh, I can easily follow you Deborah. Few years ago here in Spain, we had a wildfire close to the house. I packed fast the cats in their travel cages, the dog in his seatbelt, food and bowls for the animals, a little suitcase with clothe. Much I didn’t have time to find. The neighbor house and area burned and the trees between our area too, so it was more than close. We were lucky.
LikeLiked by 2 people
It is a scary thing. I can imagine what you went through too. So glad you were ok. We are ok right now and hoping we and our son’s family and other close by family, and in-laws do not have to evacuate or have any losses. Thank you, Irene. ❤
LikeLiked by 2 people
I wish all of you the best, Deborah 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Irene. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m praying that you and your loved ones will stay safe.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, JoAnna. ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
We will be keeping you and your family in our thoughts and prayers, Deborah. I hope this fire is brought under control quickly and that you can stay safe in your home.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Dan. ❤ We are watching and waiting for these winds to die down, supposedly by tomorrow.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Today we can keep a lot of stuff in the cloud, but there are items worth holding.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes it is all those family treasures. I know we can’t take everything with us. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Deborah, you and your family are in my prayers. I pray those fires do not touch your home. Stay safe! (((HUGS))) Amy
LikeLiked by 1 person
We have a least one more day of the Santa Ana winds. Thank you, Amy. ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are welcome!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Goodness. I’m so sorry y’all are so close to the danger. Heartfelt wishes for your safety.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We can only hope the fire doesn’t blow this way and try to be prepared if it does. Thank you, Joey. ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wild fires are scary things. Hopefully, you don’t have to leave home, and the fires die soon. They certainly have already here, in BC, and they were bad this summer. Even though I live in Vancouver, where the fires don’t reach, the air smelled like bad car exhaust during the summer.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The smoke and smell of smoke can travel long distances. Seems like these fires are getting worse every year. Thank you, Olga. 🙂
LikeLike
Fire season is scary. I’ve experienced it in Florida. I almost lost my home to it once, which inspired my upcoming release. Now, every fire I see…every time I smell smoke in the year…I panic a little.I hope you and your family make it through this okay.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The fire seasons out here seem to be getting worse and they don’t stay in one season always. We were lucky that our house was not impacted the time we were evacuated. But the threat of it stays with you. And how it can happen so quickly without much warning. Thank you, Chrys, for your good wishes. 🙂
LikeLike
I pray none of you will have to evacuate. The fires out there have been very scary this year.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It has been pretty crazy. Thank you, Alex. 🙂
LikeLike
Hi Debbie, just reading your post now. I was extra busy at our house since Adam and the girls moved in with us for a couple of days due to the fires. They did move back home yesterday. Hopefully, the worst is over but so many people lost their homes. I forget how difficult it can be more people who need power for life saving devices. Hoping that Scott, Jenni and Gavin are doing well. I’ll be in touch soon.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I was thinking of Adam and his family. It is very stressful to have to be evacuated and to be worried about the fires coming to your neighborhood. I had thought about the power when Gavin came home and then thought they had enough battery stuff, etc. But apparently they do need a reliable source of power for extended hours. Scott and family are doing well. Just will be more relaxed when these winds abate.
LikeLike
Wishing you and your family the best of luck.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Lucile. 🙂
LikeLike