Almost 2 years ago, the cycle of mayhem began in our community.
The good news is, we have come a very long way and people are finally starting to show signs of moving on. The healing is a process, but it’s a little better with each day.
Even though my heart still races when I hear multiple sirens coming from the intersection in town, I have learned to live without the scanner constantly playing in the background of my life. I’ve turned it off again, as I did for nearly all my adult life before the fires. Now, I only turn it up occasionally.
When I hear the roar of a radial engine in the sky, I get nervous again that something might be brewing. Nonetheless, I am always grateful that they are there. Those planes saved so many lives during our last 2 years of fire seasons here in Lake County, and although the sights and sounds of them bring me some jitters, they also bring me that gratitude.
There is always something we complain about in our towns but since the fires, and since I have felt this reconnection with the people of my community, I realize now more than ever that home is something we have ALL taken for granted.
When so many have lost their homes, it’s important for us all to reflect on how lucky those of us are that still have ours. We need to reach out to fellow Lake County residents that might need our help still and possibly just need to hear you say, “I’m thinking of you. I know you might still be hurting and I understand.” But most importantly what we all need to hear is, “you are not alone.”
In the next few days, I plan to take a drive through some of the hardest hit areas from both the Valley Fire, and the Clayton Fire. I need to see the places I don’t always pass in my day to day life, to realize the beauty of how Mother Nature can replenish herself. I want to see the progress that people have made in rebuilding their lives, and get a good picture in my head for the ending of my book.
Thank you all for checking in on my progress with writing the novel that I hope will shed positive light onto our county. I have been enjoying the process more and more now that the tears are fewer and farther in between. What drives me now is wrapping it up to get it into all of your hands.
Thank you for your patience. Love to you all!
Patti, Last month I took a drive up Seigler Springs to Cobb and back down Bottke Rock. Though the devastation has not changed in some areas, there is a whole different way to see it. Where the tree covered areas were that kept mostly hidden from the sun now is open to the sun and amazing views I never realized we’re there. To be able to look out and see St Helena Mt was shocking but beautiful. Seeing Pine Grove full of people and swimmers in the pool, new homes built, or signs the church on the hill is starting to rebuild, gives hope to the new rising. LL is harder for me absorb but we know why. Seeing the empty pieces of property where my history layed is tough, but seeing the church plans of future renewal, a new home replacing the old, ideas to pull the community together and bring in new blood, gives my heart a warm feeling. Having been around so long and seeing the theatre, the bars, the brick hall, Magoons and more burn, I have to remember that life is a cycle and is for ever changing. I know your book will be wonderful reading that I won’t be able to put down, because you too have seen all this, as well as being in the smoke and flames, felt the fear that others felt, and working to replace the beauty that was taken from you. Love you lady.
Debbie,
Thanks for the insight and kind words. We have all witnessed these changes together, that’s for sure. As for my book, it is still a book of fictional characters that fall in love in the aftermath of the Valley Fire, but so many people’s stories that are true will come out and the wonderful bond that our community has will be revealed. I hope you will like it.
Much love,
Patti