01/09/2025
The news out of Los Angeles are heartbreaking, scary, and horrifying. The trauma, grief, and loss is tangible when you watch people speaking about their stress and trauma, confusion, and shock. The families with small kids running away from the fires when the cars were not able to carry them to safety. The fires continue to rage and more and more people are losing their homes and businesses. It is just heartbreaking and I cannot even imagine the profound sense of loss they are experiencing.
And the firefighters, first-responders, law enforcement, reporters, and others closely involved with the containment; they are the true heroes.
But, they are human first. Once things settle down and the rebuilding starts, I hope we do not forget the suffering that will unfold; of the people affected with so much loss; the traumatized firefighters, first-responders, paramedics, law enforcement. I can only imagine the trauma they all will carry. The psychological aftermath of such calamities is immeasurable. Many of them may not even have the language to describe their inner turmoil as they are trained to keep going and to keep pushing through as the alternative is not even an option.
At this time, it is the fight response that keeps them going. However, they will need all the support we, as a community and society, can provide in the aftermath. Once you see so much death and destruction, you can almost never be the same.
I hope we do not forget or be mindless about the trauma of the families, spouses, and children, of the first-responders and firefighters watching on the news their loved ones on the ground. Only they know and understand the uncertainty and the intense fear for their dads, moms, uncles, aunts, grandparents, sons, and daughters out there fighting the fires and saving people. It cannot be overstated.
I hope we also do not forget the reporters reporting from the ground tirelessly for the past couple of days. Their contribution in spreading the word when people need to evacuate, telling people what is happening, and lending a hand where needed is commendable. Their work cannot be overlooked or go unappreciated.
As another night falls on Los Angeles, as we watch from our homes, there are so many brave folks on the ground and in the air braving this calamity and serving fearlessly.
It is with gratitude that I witness their selflessness. It is apparent that this is not just work for them, it is a calling. They are serving and saving people at great personal risk. May each and every one of them remains safe.
May the force be with them. Ultimately, the human spirit endures, sustains, survives, and thrives
The news out of Los Angeles are heartbreaking, scary, and horrifying. The trauma, grief, and loss is tangible when you watch people speaking about their stress…
