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Other kids get snow days. We get freaking wildfire days and it's impossible to fully enjoy the break from school knowing that, just 5 miles away, there are sheets of pellucid flames tearing down the 405. My Hebrew school has suffered fire damage. The Getty has too. All my friends have either evacuated or are alert, ready to run at a moment's notice. We've packed bags, for the just-in-case. The worst that happens is that we'll have to unpack next week.
The world smells like smoke. The sky is dusty, thick with ash as if it's a photo under a glass sheet covered in grime. It feels almost as if I could reach out and swipe my finger across it, wipe away the gross and muck and make it blue again. It's like seeing through mosquito netting, in tiny broken parcels, and I'm itching to tear it off.
This is scary. So, so, scary. I've heard about the other fires before, in the newspaper and on TV, but never quite so close. In the news footage, I recognize those streets, these buildings, the arc of that hillside. This is my home, and it's burning. When will it end?
My friend called me yesterday, crying. Her house is in the zone where the fire is projected to spread at the current rate and they were ordered to evacuate. Fortunately, the fire has not crossed the 405. Her house is safe.
Our family is currently far enough away from the flames that most of my worry is for others. This is terrifying and many aren't as lucky as I am and have been. Please pray or keep in your thoughts those affected by the Skirball, Thomas, Napa, and other fires.
Stay safe, Abigail S. We are thinking of you, your friends, and all those affected by these terrible fires in your beautiful home state. It may feel like it will never happen, but the fires will come to an end.
-Admin
submitted by Abigail S., age 13, Nose in a Book
(December 7, 2017 - 12:24 pm)
(December 7, 2017 - 12:24 pm)
Abigail, that's so frightening! I'll be praying for your family and everyone else to stay safe-- we have relatives in the area of the fires, and I'm always apprehensive when there is news of them spreading. But this too will pass.
(December 7, 2017 - 1:39 pm)
(December 7, 2017 - 7:18 pm)
I can't imagine what it must be like.
Let me start with that. Let me start by saying I don't understand this the way you do, although your description has shown me the scope of what I do not know. I don't understand, but I'm sorry.
I'm sorry your home is on fire. Claaws, that sounds ridiculous. "I'm sorry that nearly everything you know and love is in danger, would you like some words?" But it's all I have to offer. I'm sorry I don't have more.
I'm sorry your school and "the Getty" are damaged. I'm sorry the sky is gray and heavy, and I'm sorry the clouds aren't simply gathering rain.
I'm sorry you're scared. I'm sorry your friends and family and people you know are scared. I'm sorry they have reason to be.
I don't really know what else to say. Apologies grow hollow with too much repetition. I wish you and yours the best of luck.
Viola?, the Getty is a famous art museum.
Admin
(December 7, 2017 - 8:56 pm)
I'm so sorry, Abi.
And I wish I could say more.
I wish I could say I know what you're going through. I wish I could tell you that it'll all be over soon. I wish I could tell you that it'll be all right.
But I can't.
Because I don't know if it's true.
I'm so sorry. That you have to go through this. That you have to be worried about this when so much of us only have to worry about homework and swim practice. That you're stuck in a rut and there's nothing you can do to get out of it.
(December 7, 2017 - 11:03 pm)
Prayers are being sent from Colorado, Abigail. I know how scary and hard this must be for you. I hope that your family and friends make it through okay.
(December 8, 2017 - 11:35 am)
Oh, Abi...! I'm so sorry that you have to go through this. It must be so hard! No one should have to go through that...maybe someday we will be able to prevent these great fires from ever starting. That must be so hard! My thoughts are with you and the others that have to go through this. Stay safe my friend, and stay strong!! <3
(December 8, 2017 - 2:31 pm)
California's burning. I don't know what else to say. It's burning. I'm so glad that you're okay, Abi, and I know that a lot of other CBers, active and inactive, live in California. I'm hoping that you all are alright. I can't even imagine what it's like. I'm so sorry, even though I know that isn't enough. I'm just glad that you're alright.
(December 8, 2017 - 3:20 pm)
I'm so sorry for you guys, i can't imagine what that must be like, I hope all your friends and family stay safe along with their houses. I'll be praying for you.
(December 8, 2017 - 4:44 pm)
That's hard. I'm really sorry and I hope things get better for you soon. I don't know what else to say.
(December 8, 2017 - 5:36 pm)
I'm so sorry. I know that doesn't help, and that everyone says it, but I truly am sorry. I wish there was something I could do to help. I will be praying for you, your friends, and everyone else affected by the fires.
(December 8, 2017 - 9:25 pm)
I'm so sorry Abi. Stay safe, we will be thinking of you and all those effected from the fires. I will pray for your family and your friends.
(December 9, 2017 - 3:48 pm)
Before I was born, my parents and two older siblings lived in LA, and my dad used to drive to work on the 405. There are fires near their old house....I can't imagine what might have happened if we hadn't moved to Maine.
(December 10, 2017 - 1:11 pm)
Oh wow. That's... horrible. I am so sorry, which probably doesn't mean much, but it's all I have. I have a relative in an evacuation zone, but I know it's nothing like being there. I... I don't know. I really really hope these fires get resolved, and I know it's not going to happen, and it makes me hope it more.
(December 10, 2017 - 5:34 pm)
I'm so sorry. I know those are useless words, but I'm doing my best to relate and think about how stressful this is for you. The most I can relate to is hurricane breaks, but it was never like this. Like everyone has said, we are thinking of you. I can't really believe this is happening, but I hope the fires stay away. The smoke sounds dangerous too, be careful! I'll be thinking of you and the fires!
(December 10, 2017 - 9:59 pm)
i... i don't have the words. i just don't.
(December 10, 2017 - 10:12 pm)