We’ve come so far!

It’s difficult

to put all our feelings into their categorical boxes. Sometimes they don’t fit and it overflows. When it overflows, it can happen at the most un-opportune moment. At the grocery store, in the bank, when you are driving, or at work! These are times when we do a lot of self talk like, “Why can’t I get it together? Not here, not here! I should be over this by now!”

Like a death, a divorce, or any other kind of loss, losing your home and all your worldly possessions will take each person a different amount of grieving time. And the grieving will be very unique to each person feeling the loss. Bottom line is, there is no right or wrong way folks. Start by being gentle with yourself and get through it one day at a time.

Knowing you are not dealing with this alone is crucial! There were literally thousands of people that this Valley Fire effected. If you feel like you need the camaraderie of others in pain, my friend just informed me of a “Rebuilding Resilience Event.” It is happening this Saturday, May 14th at the Middletown High School. From what I understand, it’s to help all those who are struggling with the aftermath of the fire and it’s FREE! They will have workshops to help folks deal with their problems and I hear it’s from 10-3. Maybe contact the high school for more information, but it sounds like a good place to start!

So many of the people I talk to keep saying how they know they should feel grateful to just be alive. But somebody needs to say too, that if some days you are just pissed off, then that is ok too! It’s part of the process and you are human! Eventually, there will be fewer days that you are pissed and more and more days of gratitude.

I was having a conversation with someone who brought up an idea that I thought of many times and then dismissed it again, thinking it was impossible in today’s day and age. But here’s the thought:

Remember back in the day, (and by back in the day, I mean watching old westerns and anything Amish), they use to hold “barn raising parties?” Why isn’t that something that could work in a time like this? I mean, our community is chalk FULL of contractors, engineers, heavy equipment operators, draftsmen, plan check peeps……WHY couldn’t something like that be organized? Why have we strayed so far from working for and with our neighbors that it couldn’t be done? Someone could form a committee and get a group of folks to start it up, have property owners sign up to do it, and each one helps the other.

Yea, yea, I know. That’s a pipe dream. But I still think there is something there that could be looked into. We’ve come so far already, with the shelters, supplies, donations, clean up, PG&E lines, cable and phone lines, ………now it’s time to rebuild, if folks want to, and WHY NOT some form of a barn raising, (home raising), group? Hmmmmm just food for thought.

Next blog: The book is getting a TITLE! You will hear the final decision on the book title and steps for moving forward with it.

Sneak peaks into the first chapter coming soon, and later, info from an interview I did with an emergency personnel. Hope the rest of your week is easy on you.