I have multiple branches of extended family out there. One was impacted by the Eaton fire—their home in Altadena was one of the only ones left standing because they stayed against evacuation orders. The other was as close as 15 minutes from the Palisades fire and she was waiting to see which way it would travel, ready to evacuate her apartment.
They described it as hellish and apocalyptic. I agree from the video footage they shared with us. The thing I've been thinking is it is not wrong or selfish for people out there, in it, to be thinking first about themselves and their neighbors, the people they know and share their lives with, in one aspect or another. That is common. That is community. There has to be something beyond one's dispensation towards "community" though, to see—REALLY SEE—the people _you_ see, the ones who deserve the same kind of care and concern as the ones who lost their homes and cars and lives but aren't even visible to most of the rest of us. This is why I follow you. One needs only to open their phone browser to see the images of these conflagrations. One needs to read what you are saying from the ground to remember that we are humans. I hope you have found a way to safety. And I hope you recover from your shock of events. My thoughts are with you. ❤️
I like how you casually snuck in that you're going to be getting another dog. Slick.
What a beautiful piece of writing about a gut-wrenching subject. I’m sorry about your truck; soulless leeches abound even in times of crisis, I guess. Mostly, though, I’m just so glad you’re okay, my friend. I hope you can pick up your new dog soon. Looking forward to getting to know him.
Marya, I want to take heart in the seeing, in the sharing, in the momentary trading of places. But it is, for most of us, so unfathomable. We know little of such desperation, and yet it is everywhere we are. Thank you.
As my mind boggles at the terrible news from LA, the closing section of this essay could describe what happens every night in a park near my home in Toronto—desperate people building fires to fill their bellies or stave off the bitter weather as best they can. I admire the way this essay moves from the overwhelmingly vast to to the intimate.
I sit across the country watching L.A. and the surrounding 34,K acres areas burn on the tee vee.
Seems like a movie as I dont see or smell smoke. Not impacted in any way. Once again is one of those things that happen to others. "Them" people that live "there"and not "here".
News outlets showing unbelievable footage of familiar areas now horrifically unrecognizable charred remains. reporters and interviewees focusing on pointing fingers and blame. Wheres the Mayor? Why is there no water in so many hydrants? Why didn't we do control burns? Or did we? What started the fires and, again, whose to blame?
Now I read your latest essay. Those questions are screaming in my mind as I read.
Then, a familiar family from a long ago read Hornbacher story that had brought eye water compassion is mentioned. Yea, the Arkansas couple.....
Ooooh,......Heart/Mind/Focus shift.
And then, blame was the furthest thing from my mind. They have confirmed 10 dead but how many died that were unaccountable for? The souls that were homeless? That no one will miss? That were struggling for a a safe place to lay their heads at night and something to eat during the day?
The real humans. The ones we see but pretend we dont?
Thank you for bringing me back to the heart and soul of what it is to be mindful and compassionate of what really matters. The souls of those that have no one but themselves.
Be safe, Marya. The water, the water, there isn’t water when we build our monuments in deserts. When we betray natural cycles over and over, ignoring, avoiding, continuing anyway. Oh, it’s all so complicated, and this violence from the few will be inextricably tied to the suffering of the many for thousands of years to come. What to even do.
Beautiful & heartbreaking essay, difficult for me to read with my heart lodged in my throat but know I’ll come back to read it again. I hate you had to be a witness to this, and you do it justice in this piece, though I know justice is hard to find. What a world we are in. 💔♥️
Also, this essay is brilliant. Breathtaking.
Holy shit, Marya.
I have multiple branches of extended family out there. One was impacted by the Eaton fire—their home in Altadena was one of the only ones left standing because they stayed against evacuation orders. The other was as close as 15 minutes from the Palisades fire and she was waiting to see which way it would travel, ready to evacuate her apartment.
They described it as hellish and apocalyptic. I agree from the video footage they shared with us. The thing I've been thinking is it is not wrong or selfish for people out there, in it, to be thinking first about themselves and their neighbors, the people they know and share their lives with, in one aspect or another. That is common. That is community. There has to be something beyond one's dispensation towards "community" though, to see—REALLY SEE—the people _you_ see, the ones who deserve the same kind of care and concern as the ones who lost their homes and cars and lives but aren't even visible to most of the rest of us. This is why I follow you. One needs only to open their phone browser to see the images of these conflagrations. One needs to read what you are saying from the ground to remember that we are humans. I hope you have found a way to safety. And I hope you recover from your shock of events. My thoughts are with you. ❤️
I like how you casually snuck in that you're going to be getting another dog. Slick.
What the F*** has our species done? Desperate and powerful.
Stay safe Marya. We need you.
Sending love to all who are living through this horror ❤
What a beautiful piece of writing about a gut-wrenching subject. I’m sorry about your truck; soulless leeches abound even in times of crisis, I guess. Mostly, though, I’m just so glad you’re okay, my friend. I hope you can pick up your new dog soon. Looking forward to getting to know him.
Marya, I want to take heart in the seeing, in the sharing, in the momentary trading of places. But it is, for most of us, so unfathomable. We know little of such desperation, and yet it is everywhere we are. Thank you.
This one truly takes my breath away.
The intensity while looking them straight in the eye, sensing their awareness of the futility of their struggles.
Stay safe, dear Marya, and please continue to share your raw courage from the road.
As my mind boggles at the terrible news from LA, the closing section of this essay could describe what happens every night in a park near my home in Toronto—desperate people building fires to fill their bellies or stave off the bitter weather as best they can. I admire the way this essay moves from the overwhelmingly vast to to the intimate.
I sit across the country watching L.A. and the surrounding 34,K acres areas burn on the tee vee.
Seems like a movie as I dont see or smell smoke. Not impacted in any way. Once again is one of those things that happen to others. "Them" people that live "there"and not "here".
News outlets showing unbelievable footage of familiar areas now horrifically unrecognizable charred remains. reporters and interviewees focusing on pointing fingers and blame. Wheres the Mayor? Why is there no water in so many hydrants? Why didn't we do control burns? Or did we? What started the fires and, again, whose to blame?
Now I read your latest essay. Those questions are screaming in my mind as I read.
Then, a familiar family from a long ago read Hornbacher story that had brought eye water compassion is mentioned. Yea, the Arkansas couple.....
Ooooh,......Heart/Mind/Focus shift.
And then, blame was the furthest thing from my mind. They have confirmed 10 dead but how many died that were unaccountable for? The souls that were homeless? That no one will miss? That were struggling for a a safe place to lay their heads at night and something to eat during the day?
The real humans. The ones we see but pretend we dont?
Thank you for bringing me back to the heart and soul of what it is to be mindful and compassionate of what really matters. The souls of those that have no one but themselves.
Oh, Marya...that's all I've got.
A powerful depiction of humans and fire. Thank you.
Be safe, Marya. The water, the water, there isn’t water when we build our monuments in deserts. When we betray natural cycles over and over, ignoring, avoiding, continuing anyway. Oh, it’s all so complicated, and this violence from the few will be inextricably tied to the suffering of the many for thousands of years to come. What to even do.
Beautiful & heartbreaking essay, difficult for me to read with my heart lodged in my throat but know I’ll come back to read it again. I hate you had to be a witness to this, and you do it justice in this piece, though I know justice is hard to find. What a world we are in. 💔♥️
Hope you are okay, friend, this sounds terrifying.
“The inner sanctum of hell is reserved for those who betray.” Very true. I wrote that one down.
Hope all is as okay as can be. Hit me up if you need anything.