DownSyn Forum

LoveMyLivi · Posted: November 05 2003, 1:41 AM Post subject:

I'm am so over joyed to be home! We just got here tonight and all is well! I have only gratitude for all the brave firefighters who put their lives on the line and saved our mountains!

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Veronika

Lucky Mom to Levi 20, Zachary 14, Fiona 11,
& my social butterfly...Olivia Lianne (11/22/02-DS) :)along with her faithful sidekick York

Sally/Grandma to Mya · Posted: November 05 2003, 9:50 AM Post subject:

Oh Veronika....I am so happy for you. I can only imagine what you have gone through. WELCOME HOME!!!

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Mya's Grandma

rhonda · Posted: November 05 2003, 10:03 AM Post subject:

I second that, Welcome Home!!!

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Rhonda

Taylor 18, Jordan 17, Dylan 8

Michele · Posted: November 05 2003, 10:06 AM Post subject:

It is good to hear! That must also mean you still have a home. That is also great news.

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Michele
Mom to Marty (7/3/02, DS) and Marissa (10/22/04)

gbesco · Posted: November 05 2003, 11:07 AM Post subject:

Veronika,

I'm so glad that all is well! You were in my thoughts & prayers all the way up here in Montana!!

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Bethany, mom to Elliot 14, Seth 12, Clarke 11, Olivia 3/6/03 Ds, Estelle,12/13/10 (adopted from the Marshall Islands)

Emdad · Posted: November 05 2003, 11:37 AM Post subject:

That is great news!
I have to say that I'm pretty proud of my neighbors for the way that they helped and continue to help each other out through all of this. There was even an impromptu evacuation center set up at the stadium for a couple of days, that wasn't run by any "officials", it was just people setting up medical, food, clothing, and other services, even just folks who sat on the curb with a sign offering their cell phones to others to make calls. I'm glad you made it back to your home, all intact. There were friends of mine who evacuated to someone's home, and then helped those people evacuate, too, ending up with 3-4 families staying together at yet another home. . .
Latest count for Southern California is over 3500 homes destroyed. That certainly hasn't completely "sunk in" for me yet, but the damage is pretty phenomenal.
On a note that I can only really share with this crowd (for fear of being mis-understood), it has been interesting to listen to some struggle with the fact that some houses, some just one in a neighborhood, survived while others did not. You know, the whole "God was protecting you," followed(usually by the one affected) by a tenuous,"I don't think so" - as they have already realized that their god-fearing next door neighbor's home is a pile of ash.
Sounded oddly familiar, in a way . . . Smile

Sally/Grandma to Mya · Posted: November 05 2003, 11:42 AM Post subject:

hmmm..Jeff, you always get my mind going. In a good way.
3500 homes. Remarkable. It will be a while for it to sink in. You know the human nature that comes out, to help others during disasters always totally amazes me. It really rekindles my faith in humankind. But I also have to ask myself..."why does it take a disaster before we help eachother"............

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Mya's Grandma

LoveMyLivi · Posted: November 05 2003, 12:30 PM Post subject: The question without an answer

Just wanted to add a "thank you!" to all of you for keeping my family in your thoughts and prayers. This fire has been devastating indeed and I'm not sure it has sunk in for me either. It is a struggle to comprehend why some "lost it all" so to speak while some of us were merely frightened and inconvenienced by the ordeal. As I was camped out at my folks house, I had time to ponder the importance of all of my belongings and the house that contains them. I mean, people perished in these fires - so who was I to complain about the possibility of losing earthly possessions - do I own them or do they own me? It was hard to think about my odd collection of beloved "things" going up in flames as it seemingly takes a lifetime of effort to aquire these lovely "things". My heart breaks for the families who have lost so much, but the question will always remain -"Why me, why us, why now?" I suppose most of us can really relate to that question. I'm sorry to say I have no answers but hopefully the lessons of love, greatfulness and sharing will remain with all of us, so that something good can come of these tragedies.

My home really was intact. No smoke odor or ash/soot to be found here. I have to take the back road down to restock my refridgerator/freezer. Only residents have been allowed back and the main (quicker) hwy is still not open. It will be a long and probably painful drive, as it was dark when I passed through last night so I was not able to see what has been burned:(

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Veronika

Lucky Mom to Levi 20, Zachary 14, Fiona 11,
& my social butterfly...Olivia Lianne (11/22/02-DS) :)along with her faithful sidekick York

Jenny · Posted: November 05 2003, 3:46 PM Post subject:

Glad your home and safe!
Jenny

samantha's mom · Posted: November 06 2003, 11:38 PM Post subject:

I am so glad that you are home and that your house is fine. Our local High School was a Red Cross evac. center and we had 56 people there who had lost thier homes in the Julian/Pine Hills area. To see thier faces when they were told was just heartbreaking. One lady in particular was just so brave she said "well at least I have my family, and money bought all the other things that I had and you can always make more money and buy more things but you can never replace what is the most important to you and that is family" Really just made my heart smile. Jeff I agree with what you said, and yes you make our brains think, thank you for that - Elizabeth

Annie Ree · Posted: November 07 2003, 9:04 AM Post subject:

It has taken me some time to actually understand what I am about to say, but I have to credit working in the medical profession for it. GOD DOES NOT GIVE YOU MORE THAN YOU CAN HANDLE. I have found this to be so true, especially since Ayden has been born.

I feel bad for all of those who lost their homes, but I have faith they will find a way to bounce back from it all. It may just take some time....

Veronika, glad to hear you and your family are safe.

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Andrea - mother of
Andruw 03-28-02
Ayden 08-19-03 (DS)