Fire and rain

 The Wright Fire that started on September 25th in 1970 led to evacuations. When people returned to see what remained, they saw a large rock graffitied in red paint. “I’ve seen fire and I’ve seen rain.”

I didn’t witness this. We had moved to Florida early that year. I had been torn from my childhood by the flood that took our home in Topanga early in 1969.  

Anyone that has lived in Southern California knows the cycles. The rainy years can bring mudslides and increase the growth of brush on the hillsides. These are steep, young ranges, still growing as the famous fault lines shift and push. Then we hit a dry season, with the winds gusting off the desert and picking up speed through the canyons. Everything is blow dried to a crisp and the slightest spark sets it all off. 

We know this, those who have lived here any length of time. When I was 6, my parents loaded our cars with what they could, ready to evacuate. We watched the flames from the Bel Air fire crest the top of the ridge across the canyon. When we realized the small black ants crawling across in front of the flames were fire trucks we realized that they were battling an inferno looming above them like a 5 story high wall. And somehow, they held the line. 

I was born here, and except for about 7 years, this has been my home. Not back to the Canyon, though. It was a cheap place to live, but over the decades it has become unobtainable for most people. 

But that doesn’t mean that only rich people live in the communities that are facing the flames right now. I am so saddened to hear people in other parts of the country take glee in the loss suffered by some rich celebrities. But many more people have lost homes who are just average, working folks. People inherit older, smaller houses. People rent apartments or even a bedroom. There are secretaries and teachers. There are people who clean and cook and pick up garbage. There are all the regular people who support the businesses that make the movies as well as many other area businesses. 

Over the years, the population has only grown. Houses have been pushed higher on the hills and deeper into the canyons. At the same time, climate change has made the cycles of fire and rain more extreme and less predictable. 

Climate change doesn’t care about politics. Or borders. Or wealth. Or religion. Or if you believe it is real. 

I’ve seen fire and I’ve seen rain. I’ve seen hurricanes and tornadoes and killing cold, thanks to always improving news coverage. I have seen lost crops and melting ice caps. All over the world. 

Friends have lost homes, or are evacuated and waiting to see how the wind will blow today. My heart is aching. My heart was also breaking for the flood victims and endangered friends from last year's hurricanes. Meanwhile, people are telling lies and making it about politics. 

I love to tell the old stories, the family stories we laugh over. Even better are the stories that lift our hearts and inspire us to do better. 

Help where can. Prayer or positive energy if that is who you are. Show compassion to those who are hurting, including yourself. Be the love and light you want to see in the world. 

Stay safe and tell good stories.