Emily, it’s taking a lot of effort to use my voice and I’m treading lightly. Thank you for being here and the love is keeping me going. Love you, Emily.
Steve, This is quite a story. Grateful you and your wife are okay, and glad you were able to find your way to the page to let us all know where you are at. Know that you and yours are in my prayers and have been since your first Note alerting us to your situation. So much loss and destruction out there in my beloved Los Angeles. It's been heartening to see the angels among the Angelenos. I know from experience, the Northridge Quake, there are many. Take care of you and yours. We're all here for you.
Pamela your daily positivity is something I really cherish here on Substack. Yes, I’m experiencing and definitely benefiting from the best of my fellow Angelenos. So incredibly comforting to be in this space of love. I feel the prayers and all the love Pamela and am so grateful to be held in this space by love.
Steve, I am so glad to hear from you today. It’s so heartwarming see L.A. pulling together to help each other and raise money for everyone in need. May this continue and lift everyone up. I am glad to hear my daily positivity is cherished by you here. Holding you and yours in the light… 💫
Thank you so much for being here Rachel. I’m sitting with the thought that I need to write, I have to write, in order to stay in the game, to stay present. Thank you for your kind words and your willingness to journey with me.
Honestly Stan, I feel in my body, the love and prayers being showered on me at this time. Knowing I’m being loved and supported right now is keeping me motivated. Thanks for being here Stan.
Thank you for this update, as I was wondering how you and your wife and Miso were faring. The fact that you are even writing about this trauma as it continues to unfold speaks to your resilience, which I know you have cultivated so well. My prayer is that you find glimmers of comfort in the midst of the terror and know you are so valued by this community.
Christine, I didn’t realize resilience feels like I’m mired in mud. It’s a slog, difficult to face and to acknowledge my true feelings right now. But every day I try, really try to just be present, to hold space for the love that’s being poured into my life right now. My reality is constant consolation and desolation right now and finding meaning in this liminal space is keeping me grounded. Thank you so much for being here, friend.
That sounds about right, it's a slog and yet you keep moving through it with such grace. I'm also here for if/when the desolation feels too overwhelming and the consolation is harder to find.
Thank you so much for the kind thoughts, Holly. So, so many angels have reached out in tangible ways that my wife and I are having all of our needs filled.
Thank you so much Jeannine! Still working on getting fully online again so missing School and everything else. But we’re getting better everyday and I can feel my feet reaching for the ground soon. Thank you for the love and support. That’s what we’re living on right now. ❤️
As I prepare tomorrow's Blue Room, in which I'll be linking to this post, I was thinking about the creedal statement, "he descended into hell." Many have puzzled on that phrase, and the best I can make of it, it means there's literally no place that is beyond Jesus' ability to reach. That you can find, in your words, joy and excitement, and feel the presence of others holding you up, is testament to the truth of those words.
Thank you always for your affirmations and support MaryAnn. My thoughts are fleeting these days so I find it difficult to really sit with anything but if I ever needed reassurance of God’s existence and presence it’s in the outpouring of love from loved ones and strangers. Amazing. I agree with you about the reach of God and I’m leaning into the Romans 8 passage that says there is nothing that can separate us from the love of God. Thank you, MaryAnn.
Steve I am so sorry to hear this news, but so thankful that you and your family are okay. There is nothing that can be said that will reverse what has been done, but I see how supported and cared for you are and I hope you see and feel that too. I commend you for sharing while everything is still so raw, and for your ability to find the perspective that this can be a joyful and exciting start to something new. Thank you for sharing, sending love and healing.
Thank you so much for being here with me Sarah. Yes, my wife and I are resting in the love and support holding us right now. Looking forward is guarding our hearts from falling into despair. Writing is my therapy right now so I’ll just keep going. Thanks again for the support Sarah.
Emily, I’m getting an abundance of virtual hugs right now and I really appreciate your holding space for us. Writing is a consistent outlet at this time so I’m leaning into finding presence through writing. Thank you so much for being here, friend.
I am so happy that you are writing again, and writing about this. it's all so sudden. Thats the most terrifying thing maybe is how quickly it all can go. I think about you guys every day. Much love.
Kara, the shock of it all is still being processed. Everyday is getting better but we have our bouts of grief. Trying to find and get a more permanent space is an arduous task that’s all consuming. The air quality is bad and I’m not running so writing is my only outlet. I miss our little group and will be back soon. Thanks for holding us.
Friend, I am so glad to see you here and hear your voice, strong and resilient, while it is also full of grief and loss. That you left early, as if you were coming back in a few hours, and then everything was lost, is a heartbreak beyond.
You mentioned FEMA, and so did she, she said, "You will hear rumors that “you don’t need to sign up with FEMA if you have insurance because they won’t help you.” While you may not be eligible for direct FEMA grants if insured, registering with the agency opens the door to other options, like low-interest loans to help you rebuild."
I have been keeping you and your wife and family and neighbors in my thoughts and prayers. It doesn't bring your home back, but I know prayer helps, in ways we don't always see at first.
You know I appreciate you so much, friend. I haven’t read the article yet but I will soon. We are very fortunate to have excellent insurance that is our saving grace now and in the future. Oh I know that FEMA follows insurance but it’s a comfort knowing that it will be there if needed.
Prayers, thoughts, and love are filling our lives right now and my wife and I marvel at the outpouring of love and support that just keeps coming.
There’s no going back and the future is getting better each day. The new reality of who we are and what we are is something I think about constantly. I’ll never get over the loss so leaning into the future is the hope that is bringing me joy in this space.
Thank you for taking the brave steps to report live from the inside of trauma….
Only because you are there every step, holding me in love. I love you so much, Andrea.
Grateful to hear your voice, even in the darkness. Gentle as you go forward, and know you are well loved.
Emily, it’s taking a lot of effort to use my voice and I’m treading lightly. Thank you for being here and the love is keeping me going. Love you, Emily.
❤️❤️love to you, friend. I am glad you are surrounded by love at this time.
Steve, This is quite a story. Grateful you and your wife are okay, and glad you were able to find your way to the page to let us all know where you are at. Know that you and yours are in my prayers and have been since your first Note alerting us to your situation. So much loss and destruction out there in my beloved Los Angeles. It's been heartening to see the angels among the Angelenos. I know from experience, the Northridge Quake, there are many. Take care of you and yours. We're all here for you.
Pamela your daily positivity is something I really cherish here on Substack. Yes, I’m experiencing and definitely benefiting from the best of my fellow Angelenos. So incredibly comforting to be in this space of love. I feel the prayers and all the love Pamela and am so grateful to be held in this space by love.
Steve, I am so glad to hear from you today. It’s so heartwarming see L.A. pulling together to help each other and raise money for everyone in need. May this continue and lift everyone up. I am glad to hear my daily positivity is cherished by you here. Holding you and yours in the light… 💫
Know that you are still being carried in my thoughts. Amazed by your courage to tell your story. Strength as you continue on your journey.
Thank you so much for being here Rachel. I’m sitting with the thought that I need to write, I have to write, in order to stay in the game, to stay present. Thank you for your kind words and your willingness to journey with me.
I am so sorry for what you have and will go through! You have my prayers. Stay strong.
Honestly Stan, I feel in my body, the love and prayers being showered on me at this time. Knowing I’m being loved and supported right now is keeping me motivated. Thanks for being here Stan.
I can’t even imagine what you are going through. The love that you feel is only a reflection of the love you put out in the world!
Thank you for this update, as I was wondering how you and your wife and Miso were faring. The fact that you are even writing about this trauma as it continues to unfold speaks to your resilience, which I know you have cultivated so well. My prayer is that you find glimmers of comfort in the midst of the terror and know you are so valued by this community.
Christine, I didn’t realize resilience feels like I’m mired in mud. It’s a slog, difficult to face and to acknowledge my true feelings right now. But every day I try, really try to just be present, to hold space for the love that’s being poured into my life right now. My reality is constant consolation and desolation right now and finding meaning in this liminal space is keeping me grounded. Thank you so much for being here, friend.
That sounds about right, it's a slog and yet you keep moving through it with such grace. I'm also here for if/when the desolation feels too overwhelming and the consolation is harder to find.
Oh, wow. I am so sorry to hear about this.
I would say sending you angels. But I know you’re in a city full of them. May they find you and provide for you.
Thank you so much for the kind thoughts, Holly. So, so many angels have reached out in tangible ways that my wife and I are having all of our needs filled.
Thank you for the powerful message. I'm so sorry for what you are going through, but what a bonus to have a platform that you can write about it on.
I'm new here. I think we may have some target areas in common. As I get my pub set up, I think we may be able to help each other out.
Thank you for reading and for being here, Julie. And yes, Substack is a wonderful place for writing therapy.
Sending love to you from the Writing in the Dark community and the WITD SCHOOL. I shared your GoFundMe in SCHOOL tonight. Thinking of you!!
Thank you so much Jeannine! Still working on getting fully online again so missing School and everything else. But we’re getting better everyday and I can feel my feet reaching for the ground soon. Thank you for the love and support. That’s what we’re living on right now. ❤️
We’re all holding space for you ❤️
As I prepare tomorrow's Blue Room, in which I'll be linking to this post, I was thinking about the creedal statement, "he descended into hell." Many have puzzled on that phrase, and the best I can make of it, it means there's literally no place that is beyond Jesus' ability to reach. That you can find, in your words, joy and excitement, and feel the presence of others holding you up, is testament to the truth of those words.
Thank you always for your affirmations and support MaryAnn. My thoughts are fleeting these days so I find it difficult to really sit with anything but if I ever needed reassurance of God’s existence and presence it’s in the outpouring of love from loved ones and strangers. Amazing. I agree with you about the reach of God and I’m leaning into the Romans 8 passage that says there is nothing that can separate us from the love of God. Thank you, MaryAnn.
So good to hear from you, friend. So much love to you and Andrea. Breathe in, breathe out, repeat. Peace.
Breath prayers are my balm right now. Thanks for being here, friend.
Steve I am so sorry to hear this news, but so thankful that you and your family are okay. There is nothing that can be said that will reverse what has been done, but I see how supported and cared for you are and I hope you see and feel that too. I commend you for sharing while everything is still so raw, and for your ability to find the perspective that this can be a joyful and exciting start to something new. Thank you for sharing, sending love and healing.
Thank you so much for being here with me Sarah. Yes, my wife and I are resting in the love and support holding us right now. Looking forward is guarding our hearts from falling into despair. Writing is my therapy right now so I’ll just keep going. Thanks again for the support Sarah.
Bless you, Steve. I wish I was there to give you a big hug and listen. Thank you for sharing, and also I'm so glad you're continuing to write.
Emily, I’m getting an abundance of virtual hugs right now and I really appreciate your holding space for us. Writing is a consistent outlet at this time so I’m leaning into finding presence through writing. Thank you so much for being here, friend.
I'm so glad to hear this Steve.
I am so happy that you are writing again, and writing about this. it's all so sudden. Thats the most terrifying thing maybe is how quickly it all can go. I think about you guys every day. Much love.
Kara, the shock of it all is still being processed. Everyday is getting better but we have our bouts of grief. Trying to find and get a more permanent space is an arduous task that’s all consuming. The air quality is bad and I’m not running so writing is my only outlet. I miss our little group and will be back soon. Thanks for holding us.
We miss you.
I’m just heartbroken to hear your story. I’m so so sorry and I’m so glad you are safe.
Roshni, it is so tragic but so blessed that it isn’t worse. So glad that we are being seen and held by so many. Thank you for being here Roshni.
Friend, I am so glad to see you here and hear your voice, strong and resilient, while it is also full of grief and loss. That you left early, as if you were coming back in a few hours, and then everything was lost, is a heartbreak beyond.
I don't know if you're ready for advice, and if not, just tuck this bit away for later. This is an article written last week from someone who survived the Oakland fires back in '91. https://www.sfchronicle.com/opinion/openforum/article/california-wildfires-tips-20025797.php
You mentioned FEMA, and so did she, she said, "You will hear rumors that “you don’t need to sign up with FEMA if you have insurance because they won’t help you.” While you may not be eligible for direct FEMA grants if insured, registering with the agency opens the door to other options, like low-interest loans to help you rebuild."
I have been keeping you and your wife and family and neighbors in my thoughts and prayers. It doesn't bring your home back, but I know prayer helps, in ways we don't always see at first.
Sending so much love and support your way. ❤️🙏
You know I appreciate you so much, friend. I haven’t read the article yet but I will soon. We are very fortunate to have excellent insurance that is our saving grace now and in the future. Oh I know that FEMA follows insurance but it’s a comfort knowing that it will be there if needed.
Prayers, thoughts, and love are filling our lives right now and my wife and I marvel at the outpouring of love and support that just keeps coming.
There’s no going back and the future is getting better each day. The new reality of who we are and what we are is something I think about constantly. I’ll never get over the loss so leaning into the future is the hope that is bringing me joy in this space.
Thank you for being here always, Jocelyn.