Hi my sweet Handpicked readers. What to say? Honestly, I feel selfish typing “luckily we’re safe” in the middle of such devastation. But today our home and community are safe from the fires, and I’m so grateful for that.
We live about 20 miles from the Palisades fire and 30 miles from the Eaton fire. As I type this, the light in my window is a bizarre hazy yellow and the usually-cozy smell of campfire is choking and inescapable, even indoors. Our old house shakes in the wind and a layer of ash has fallen on our neighborhood.
Shops and restaurants we love have been reduced to rubble. My dad’s childhood neighborhood has been evacuated and we wonder if it will still be here this weekend. If you’re a praying person, please join me in asking your Higher Power to stay the wind, comfort the mourning, and protect the protectors.
No links today. Just one photo from our family’s favorite lookout point in Pacific Palisades.
“There seems to be something inside of us that resists endings. Why is this? Because we are made of the stuff of eternity. We are eternal beings, children of the Almighty God, whose name is Endless and who promises eternal blessings without number. Endings are not our destiny.”
—Dieter F. Uchtdorf
I feel compelled to share this playlist I made for hard times. To anyone who needs spiritual comfort today🙏🏽
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6KYmeyZlHmh91s8YivUQZA?si=DyQMFVSzSBe51oZKOoRuHw&pi=EOQiBo6fSQ2Bv
I’ve felt so heartbroken as I’ve read about the devastation from fires. Praying for relief for those affected. So glad you’re safe.