California Mountain Wildfire

Once there was a beautiful mountain called Rim of the World. Blue vistas above seas of cloud cradled forests, lakes, animals, towns, and my home. In a house like a castle among evergreens, I lived with my children and husband. We kept treasures in many rooms. Our children played sports and music, read books, performed dramas, and sang. But all was not well. Our pine trees were dying from drought and disease. We tried to cut down their kindle but had no time. On a hot, sunny Saturday morning, the wildfire came. It started at the bottom of the mountains, from a burning rag thrown by an angry man. It leapt up canyons, hills, and bushes toward the dead trees and our Rim. We watched as the blaze swept up like red tide. No one told us to leave. But we packed what we could in boxes, grabbed our pets and children, and drove down narrow night roads illumined and threatened by flame. For days our firefighters battled the red, roaring monster. We watched, and we we waited, wondering if all of our towns and our houses would be consumed. We slept in tents and airports, borrowed clothing and food. We prayed. A miracle of untimely snow quenched the fire. We drove up charred roads to a wasteland of ashes and hills black as bombs. 100,000 acres, 1000 homes, and 10 businesses burned. Trees, birds, and animals perished. Four people died. One was my friend. We mourned and felt sick from the grief and the ashes. But spring returned, as it does, and our new mountain was born. Flowers grew next to blackened walls. People came from far lands to help us rebuild houses and deep forest paths. Winter brought snow that draped ashes like God's grace covers our souls. My house did not burn, but many of my friends lost everything, even their cars, pets, and photos. I lost my home and all its treasure three years later. Even my children were gone--for awhile. But these photos remain. What in your life is fireproof? If the fire came for you, for your home, for your family, what could you save?

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• wildfire
• trauma
• loss
• firefighters
• mountains
• Old Fire
• California
• arson
• ice
• snow
• hiking
• forests
• healing
• Christianity
• inspiration
• true
• drama
• rebuilding
• recovery

[LonnaLisaWilliams]

@kasaato

I'm glad that you liked that! They did not burn with the fire . . .

[LonnaLisaWilliams]

@kasaato

I wish!

[kasaato]

I really like it it brings back a lot of memories.

[kasaato]

Is that you playing the guitar, mom? :P