Wednesday, June 27, 2012

can't take it with you


Three o'clock yesterday morning I woke with the feeling that my first priority of the day was to pack up all the essentials and sentimentally important things. In the real morning, you know after 7:00, I packed up some irreplaceable  things along with important document type things. By 11:00 my car was loaded and ready to go.

Even though it smelled like there was a campfire in my living room, at that point I thought I was bordering on paranoid. I even kept my garage door closed while I packed, so the neighbors wouldn't think I was crazy. After all, the news reports weren't saying anything about our area, and it seemed like we were pretty safe. 

As the day progressed, we could feel that ash raining on us. The sky rolled red; it looked like a fresh and ugly bruise. I was feeling like maybe I wasn't crazy. Then there was a strong wind-shift and we were told to leave our home.

It's a little surreal. I did a walk through before we left, thinking I might not see any of this again. The little rocking horse that someone in my mom's family made a long time ago. The Breakers at Sunset picture hanging above my bed, a gift from my grandma. Just little things. I did pack a few journals. I packed some letters. I packed a rose patterned jewelry box my dad gave me along with necklaces and bracelet's, rings and earrings that once belonged to both of my grandmother's and my mom. I packed photo books and the computer and ipods and camera.

The things I forgot: A picture collage on the wall in the hallway full of pictures from the pre-digital days. The camcorder. (Seriously kicking myself for this. The apple-cider-vinegar video...!)

Funny how in that moment, when we were told we had five minutes, I was thinking of things like bath toys and books and things to keep Pirate entertained because it looks like we won't be getting back to our home anytime soon -if at all. 

Anyway. Pray for all these people (30,000 of us) who have been relocated. 


Thanks.

13 comments:

Amanda Joy Petersen said...

I hope everything turns out well for your home, and that the fire is handled soon.

wendy said...

wow....I have been hearing about it on the news. I can't imagine what that would feel like.
What to take.....and it seems like in those moments, our thoughts aren't as CLEAR as we'd need them to be.
Utah has been having lots of fires too.
Crazy scarry
take care and stay safe

Amy said...

Prayers are going out to all my loved ones in Colorado. This is so scary. I hope you don't have to say goodbye to any of those things.

Amy said...

Prayers are going out to all my loved ones in Colorado. This is so scary. I hope you don't have to say goodbye to any of those things.

Momza said...

I was thinking about you all day and night! I don't have your number, so if you need something call me!! IN fact, you should just call to tell me you're okay.

Cara said...

Um...wow. I seriously hope your home is there when you get back - cannot even imagine that. I'm now very thankful that we don't get forest fires.

Aunt Merrilee said...

You were so smart to head the prompting. Prayers will be said to protect your family and your home. Love you.

Carrie said...

Oh Heather! Prayers for you during this stress.... and that you can return home soon:)

Tracie said...

WOW! Praying for you guys to be okay, it is funny how when it comes right down to it the things we save are senitmental, toys and thing can always be bought but memories and photographs cannot. So glad you had time to get some of your things out before you evacuated and hope it all awaits you safe (albiet probably smoky) when you return

Laurie said...

Prayers headed your way!

Emryn said...

I have evacuated twice while living in San Diego because of fires. Luckily for us it never destroyed our home, but it did hit neighbors and ward members. I was always single when it happened. I couldn't imagine doing it with all the treasures of my kids being left behind and having to be strong for them. My prayers go out to you.

Cynthia said...

Prayers sent out for you and your family (and all the other families effected by the fires).

Laura said...

So sorry you have to go threw this! Your family is in our prayers!