I wrote that poem on September 10, 2020. In looking back and thinking about five years, so much has changed and so much hasn’t. I’ve been asked many times about anniversary events, and I came to the realization that I don’t celebrate or memorialize traumatic events in my own life. I remember losses and pain, and I may light a candle that day for the grace that has been and the grace that is coming.
I am honored and humbled for the work we did for the wildfire recovery. And that work isn’t done. As we moved through Labor Day weekend, I was flooded with memories of our wildfires. I think one of the lessons learned is I am often in meetings where people say, “our wildfire.” There is community ownership even amongst the deep personal losses. We took this seriously and we worked hard and together. For all of that, I am grateful. I am deeply grateful to the wildfire survivors who trusted us with so much when they had so little. I am grateful for their stories that I still carry in my heart and my head.
The fire isn’t out for many. Please remember those who lost everything that day five years ago and know it’s okay to support them in in the ways they want to be supported. Mostly remember with them, for them. And I know that amidst the chaos, life can bloom again.
Onward.
