Ashes to Ashes and Dreams to Dust

Thomas, you covered our skies with shades of grays and left us in darkness. You sent brilliant colors of oranges, yellows, and reds dancing high in our skies. You traveled over 40 miles, blazing a path of destruction and devastation. Yes, Thomas, you are the worst fire in California history, and you made us aware of that. You covered our streets, our cars, and our homes with gray, snow-like flakes. Unfortunately, this snow-like substance was toxic and very unhealthy. These snow-like flakes did not melt, but instead turned into dust and floated in the breeze. You took our air and made it harmful and difficult for us to breathe, and, yes, Thomas, you also brought tears to our eyes.

One thing you did for some of us was make us aware of our blessings. For me, the awareness of my blessings came while listening to some friends complaining about your devastation. They were telling me that they could not work and that objects stored in their backyard were covered in ashes and their cars were also covered in ashes. Perhaps I complained myself, after all, I am 69 years old, disabled, I have COPD [chronic obstructive pulmonary disease], my car was also covered in ashes, and Thomas, you did disrupt my life. Then all of a sudden, God opened my eyes and He touched my heart and made me realize my selfishness. I had not lost anything, was not hurt, and was not in any immediate danger of your ferociousness. As I looked at your snow-like presence that covered everything, I realized it was not just ashes and dust; it was someone’s home lying on the ground, maybe it was a child’s playhouse or a tree fort. This was someone’s dreams floating in the air. Some of these dreams people had been saving for and building almost all their lives, and Thomas, you stole all of it from them.

Your flammable roar also took a heroic and courageous firefighter from us. He was a father, a man of integrity, a man who faced your ferocity, but lost the battle he trained for, lived for, and died for. He is a person who will be honored in our minds and hearts forever. Thomas, you also stole the life of a woman who was trying to escape your wrath. The people of Santa Paula and others will always remember how you took the life of one of our sisters. You made us aware of the honorable, courageous, and dedicated firefighters and first responders. These heroes persevered and challenged you with their lives and all their strength. Some were our local heroes and some traveled from far away to argue with you, to fight with you, to save lives and structures, and in some cases, save dreams.