I’m Los Angeles born and bred, and the past few days (that have felt like a month) have been surreal in the worst possible way. I grieve for my city. I know these fires have left us all heartbroken. So many friends have lost their homes and everything in it, which seems impossible to me. To know so many people who are suddenly homeless.
And then there are the places that hold so many memories - the parks, restaurants, theatre. I have so many memories made throughout my lifetime - The Reel Inn (since they opened 36 years ago), Moonshadows (a family favorite), Gladstones (I used to go by myself with my laptop to write), Will Rogers Estate (picnics with boyfriends since I was a teenager)…and familiar streets, markets, family-owned business, gone, gone, gone.
It’s all too much.
Although we live in Hollywood, we’ve called the Pacific Palisades “il nostro quartiere” (our neighborhood) because we love that city and dreamed of living there one day. We would ride our Vespa there weekly just to shop at the supermarket and go for a walk. For us, it’s one of the best cities we’ve ever known. Now, much of it is no more.
The other night we evacuated from the Sunset Fire in Hollywood and found a hotel by the airport, where we spent a sleepless night with our little dog, Shanti, all of us keeping an eye on our alerts. I packed my suitcase in such a daze I didn’t even know what I had brought. But when I got to the hotel and reached into my bag I found these photos.
I packed my folks.
My 100-year-old pops lives in an assisted living place near us, and they had to pack up two busloads of seniors and move them to a hotel downtown.
Thankfully, we are all back home. Thankfully, we have a home to come back to.
To the firefighters risking everything to protect us, thank you from the depths of my heart. To my fellow Angelinos, I’m so sorry for your pain and loss. This city’s resilience, creativity, and compassion will guide us in our healing. We are all hurting. We are all on edge.
Let’s be extra kind to one another and ourselves, okay?
You will see many GoFundMes pop up. Don’t trust them all. Please research before you give. Follow trusted sources. I can verify that this is a real family needing to rebuild. Matt is the son of my good friend, Joan.
I love you, Angelenos. I love you, L.A. 🙏
(donate button doesn’t work below - click this link to donate.)
BTW, couldn't get the Donate button to work for the GoFundMe page.
Oh, Annie. It's so sad. We were fortunate to live in the Palisades for a few years. It was truly paradise - the town was a little oasis. And all those restaurants you mentioned, we loved too. We evacuated from our current home with our little dog and with our family photos and letters taking up most of the car. Thanks for always putting into words what my heart is feeling. Stay safe. xo