Dears,
Today marks three years since the Camp Fire tore through neighboring Paradise. Efforts at rebuilding have been slow, but life and hope can be seen. I even work with clients now in Paradise; they moved back after the Fire and have new homes.
Schools reopened. Businesses returned, and you can eat yummy meals, or drop by Starbucks (Starbucks never goes down).
With respect to this time, I'm re-posting this poem I wrote as a tribute to our beloved Paradise.
Goodbye?
How can we start to say "goodbye"
It's too godawful to believe
One merciless inferno
ceded far too much to grieve
When can we start to say "goodbye"
Each day's haze, too thick to clear
Death threats invade the nightly sleep
We're paralyzed by fear
Where do we start to say "goodbye"
Sans your crisp, brisk pine air
One more slice of Black Bear pie
A final ounce of your down-home care
Endearing senior pairings
married fifty years or more
like the ones that owned and nurtured my favorite antique store (Treasures of Paradise)
Or the banjo picking cow folk,
the flag-flailing Trumpeteers
The man who saved his neighbors' homes, then asked only for some beers
Their rooms and schools, all burnt to ash
Not one swing-set remains
over 90% of Paradise is no longer
spans miles beyond
the passing of a friend
How can we start to say "goodbye"
when "goodbye" has no end?
Some goodbyes like grief never do end. Instead we learn to live with them. Mostly.
ReplyDeleteMostly. Indeed, EC. "Mostly" is the best we can do.
DeleteHugs.
That was a huge fire. So sad to hear that so many people are still unaccounted for. But glad that they are slowly rebuilding.
ReplyDeleteIt'll never be the same.
DeleteThank you for chiming in, Mary.
That's good they are rebuilding!
ReplyDeleteYeah, but unfortunately, big money is stifling it from rebuilding to create the Paradise it once was. It's all very sad, but there's always reason for hope. ANd it's still our Paradise.
DeleteThank you, Alex.
Oh Robyn, sending you hugs. The thing about grief is that for some, it never ends. It is cyclical. That being said, I am glad to hear the rebuilding continues. I am confident that it will be back bustling with growth and prosperity.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your sweet sentiment, Yvonne.
DeleteHugs back to you.
Hopefully the fire load is now gone and people can rebuild without to much fear of it happening again.
ReplyDeleteYes, Mike. That's an astute statement. The risk of fire danger now is very low.
DeleteThank you.
Hope. It's an amazing thing.
ReplyDeleteIt's always within reach, even when we don't see it.
DeleteCheers, friend.
Three years already? I hope most of the residents of Paradise have managed to rebuild their lives and homes. It's a long process though, I know. Best wishes to them all!
ReplyDeleteVery few are able to, Debra. The powers that be have stifled all efforts except for the wealthy-lucky. Sadly. But there's always hope. Many of them are living among us in Chico and doing relatively well.
DeleteThose last two photos remind me of my grandparents' and uncle's cabins. One fire and gone. It's so sad. (Little over one year since that happened.)
ReplyDeleteSorry your family also lost their cabins. It's horrific and heartbreaking, Diane.
DeleteThose stats are shocking, especially the number of poor people unaccounted for.
ReplyDeleteYes, far too many. But they never mention all the humans who are unaccounted for.
DeleteSuch a good poem with the heartache of loss. I read an article the other day that referenced Paradise (I admit when I see Chico, Paradise, etc it catches my eye since you are out there) and I did think "how quickly we forget and move on, but these folks have not and will not for years to come or ever". You are awesome for continuing to help and care. Thanks for this post.
ReplyDeleteIt'll never be the same. So many have perished and weren't even honored after their deaths, Joanne. To me, that's one of the the most "wrong" parts about this all.
DeleteThank you for your care and understanding, friend.
Three years wow. A terrible event. Very sad. How tragic.
ReplyDeleteGood poem Robyn and memorial too. And obviously glad you weren't personally injured at the time. Sad about the bridge too. Even a building loss is sad enough.
A beautiful poem, a sad, sad anniversary.
ReplyDelete