(first published in Ukiah Daily Journal September 20, 2015)
Getting ready to head out for a walk in the very welcome rain,
I recalled the bright yellow rain jacket I used to have. Then I reflected that
it had been in one of those huge bags full of clothes that were donated to
local charities as I made a recent move. Just too much stuff, you know.
This has happened before. There have been too many moves to
recall, it seems. Sometimes I will pause and remember a beautiful piece of furniture
that wouldn’t fit into a new residence and had to be given away – to whom I am
not always sure, but it does not grace my living spaces anymore.
Those are just things, I’ve told myself. Not important,
really! Don’t get me started on the people I no longer can see or talk
to…that’s way too sad to remember. Yet life continues – for me.
Many folks may feel that way today who have been burnt out
and evacuated from their homes in nearby counties; and they will be missing
lots of things: their child’s favorite toy, that box of travel souvenirs, or
the ring from that special someone in the past. Not easy to replace.
Thankfully, the death toll has not been high; one retired
teacher who gave many students some memories in years past, no doubt. We read or
hear about Barbara McWilliams’ tragic death and feel terrible. Sadly, breaking
news continues to report that several more are missing and may possibly have
lost their lives as well in the disaster. Those who survive feel lucky, but
also mourn those who were not so lucky. What a dichotomy of feeling.
Watching news and YouTube videos gives us a close look at
the reality of many affected by the nearby Valley fire. Several who discover
their homes are still standing have expressed relief, followed by guilt. They
ask, “Why me, but not my neighbor?”
Fire officials cannot answer that either; fire swept in so
fast, and somehow skipped over a few buildings. Guesses range from wind changes
to building materials, but that strangeness still exists with which all have to
live.
Like many, I’ve tried to imagine what I would run to safety
with if I only had a few minutes; it’s not a pretty picture. My imagination
cannot begin to encompass what I would really feel and do, I’m sure. Yet many
of us must try. Empathy insists we do this.
The big question now must be how do they start over? Those
interviewed are just coming out of shock enough to start wondering about their
insurance coverage or where they will be allowed to live for the near future.
For some, it may be years before they are able to go back to
their old living space – if they even want to or can do that. Red tape will be
stretching for miles in some cases. A few who have been interviewed mentioned
that they weren’t allowed to maintain much of a policy on their homes because
it was in a rural, wooded area. Thanks, big insurance companies who can afford
to say no.
Renters, business owners and homeowners alike will be
dependent on local emergency funds and Red Cross donations for quite awhile.
Then what? How do you rebuild a whole town? Not many have had to do that in
recent years; San Francisco ’s
comeback from earthquake and ash was huge, but not many are still alive to
share with us their stories of starting over. Just imagine how different build
permits and insurance procedures might have been over a hundred years ago
though.
Today we see huge donations coming in from large
corporations and organizations which is wonderful, but how does all of that get
divvied up and put to rebuilding little Jane Doe’s house in Middletown , I don’t know. Come to think of
it, I even heard recently a few sad stories of folks whose lives have not been
put right from the Hurricane Katrina devastation ten years ago.
Taking inventory with a calm mind would be necessary to
really get a handle on rebuilding. Perhaps using a third party who has no
investment in your decisions would help, too. Which new resources are at your
disposal – and how do you access them would be a next step.
Then, I imagine a myriad of scenarios would dictate your
next step towards re-settling of you and your family. Each person, family and
business is very unique so there would be no blanketed advice to give everyone.
All would have their own maze in which to maneuver back to a sense of
well-being again.
It’s probably very good advice for all of us to set up a
plan for emergency or disaster – at least as much as we can. And, hopefully,
there would be avenues of help for us, if needed, thanks to generous donations
from our fellow humans. That’s the magic word in this case – hope. Do not lose
it, and do not hesitate to give it to those who need it now!
