Having lived in California for over twenty years, it was especially difficult to watch TV and see one of the most beautiful areas of the United States, The Pacific Palisades, destroyed by fire.
My heart went out to those who lost their lives and their homes, and I breathed a sigh of relief that my adult children and my grandchildren, still living in California, were untouched by the flames.
My son, Darryl, has worked at Jet Propulsion Labs in Pasadena for over twenty-two years and they were told to evacuate the first day the fire started. Darryl, Amy and the children, Sawyer, 11 and Blake 9, did receive a notice to evacuate their home three days later.
Fortunately, the notice was rescinded when the dreadful winds died down and the planes with the fire retardant were able to fly again. The brave firefighters gained control of the flames nearby.
“We’re fine, Mom. Don’t worry,” my son said each time I checked with him. But of course I did worry.
By the 6th day I began to calm down and joined my friends to play mahjong. My mind was on the game when my cell phone rang.
I dug it out of my purse and saw it was a call from my granddaughter. “Hi Blake, what’s up?”
All I heard was a deafening noise and people screaming.
My heart began to hammer in my chest. “Blake! What’s happening? Are you all right?” The phone went dead.
With the screams echoing in my brain, and images of the California fire darting through my mind, I called her back. No answer!
My hands shook as I called Darryl. He didn’t answer either. Terrified and helpless, I called Blake again and again. Finally, “Hi Nana!”
“Blake! Are you all okay? ” “Yeah! Sorry, I called you by mistake. I guess I hit my watch phone by accident.”
“We’re at Disneyland and we were on the rollercoaster. Did you hear all the screaming? It was great! Here’s Dad. Love you. Nana!”
My heartbeat slowed. (Thankfully it didn’t stop!) “Love you too Blake.”
