JT, I hear you on all of this as well. Your experience has me thinking "what if this happens to me, how can I prepare?". I hear you loud and clear that there might have been easy and quick things to grab to throw into the van that would have had lasting value. And I hear you on Billy, Rest in Peace.
I also would feel remissed if I didn't applaud what you DID do. You started at the top (You got the kids), and worked your way down the priority list (You got some clothes, and important papers.. laptops).. and then you listened to a very importantly designed warning system (the smoke detectors) and you evacuated. At the time, it just didn't seam plausible that the house would disappear.
I hear you. You have all my love and support. You also have my respect because you did Dad #1 responsibility and you saved your family.
Yeah, totally. I know you're right, intellectually. What's interesting and unexpected is how much I come back to that "If I'd just..." thought loop. For what it's worth it's not as bad as it was right afterward; we've had the chance to re-purchase our ski gear for example (and used it last weekend).
Bravo on last weekend! And Understood. Your feelings are always welcome here. It's acceptable to miss and morn all the things that were lost, artwork included.
You can laugh at me if you wish-- I'm trying to mentally recreate "What if this happens to me..." and I'm looking at my motorcycle (my only mode of transportation) and trying to figure out my best course of action. It's an interesting thing to plan for with just a motorcycle.
Digo and I have been wondering about this part of your tragedy, discussing how painful it would be to lose memories and investments...and pets. My heart breaks for you all. I'm sure time spent journaling these chapters of your experience is cathartic; know that it's also helpful to those of us who care about you guys and are always thinking about you and contemplating what this mess must be like to live through. Our hearts are with you.
Thanks Brianne! And cathartic is a great word to describe these posts for me. San Diego does have wildfires, as you and I know, and my hope is that if something like this happens to folks, and they've read this post, it might provide structure for how to think about what to evacuate with. Who knows ;)
Cuz, I tell you what your story has really made me think what I would grab if there was ever an evacuation notice. We always think that won’t happen to us. Your story has made me realize better to be prepared. Also next time you’re in Florida let me know and I’ll bring the boat down for the weekend.
Thanks for sharing, this and your whole story. We were on pre-evacuation so we had time to pack and a slightly better sense of how bad things were with the fire. It was difficult to figure out what to pack besides some obvious things, similar to what you packed. I appreciate your reflection based on what you know now.
Sorry for your loss of Billy. In the moment, you really could not have anticipated that you were not coming back to your home. None of us who live here in the 'suburbs' and the 'plains' could have imagined that a grass fire would turn into what it did. Nothing quite like this has happened in Colorado before.
JT, I hear you on all of this as well. Your experience has me thinking "what if this happens to me, how can I prepare?". I hear you loud and clear that there might have been easy and quick things to grab to throw into the van that would have had lasting value. And I hear you on Billy, Rest in Peace.
I also would feel remissed if I didn't applaud what you DID do. You started at the top (You got the kids), and worked your way down the priority list (You got some clothes, and important papers.. laptops).. and then you listened to a very importantly designed warning system (the smoke detectors) and you evacuated. At the time, it just didn't seam plausible that the house would disappear.
I hear you. You have all my love and support. You also have my respect because you did Dad #1 responsibility and you saved your family.
Yeah, totally. I know you're right, intellectually. What's interesting and unexpected is how much I come back to that "If I'd just..." thought loop. For what it's worth it's not as bad as it was right afterward; we've had the chance to re-purchase our ski gear for example (and used it last weekend).
I appreciate the words of support though, man.
Bravo on last weekend! And Understood. Your feelings are always welcome here. It's acceptable to miss and morn all the things that were lost, artwork included.
You can laugh at me if you wish-- I'm trying to mentally recreate "What if this happens to me..." and I'm looking at my motorcycle (my only mode of transportation) and trying to figure out my best course of action. It's an interesting thing to plan for with just a motorcycle.
Imma gonna go buy a helicopter.
Digo and I have been wondering about this part of your tragedy, discussing how painful it would be to lose memories and investments...and pets. My heart breaks for you all. I'm sure time spent journaling these chapters of your experience is cathartic; know that it's also helpful to those of us who care about you guys and are always thinking about you and contemplating what this mess must be like to live through. Our hearts are with you.
Thanks Brianne! And cathartic is a great word to describe these posts for me. San Diego does have wildfires, as you and I know, and my hope is that if something like this happens to folks, and they've read this post, it might provide structure for how to think about what to evacuate with. Who knows ;)
Absolutely. It's been food for thought, for sure.
Cuz, I tell you what your story has really made me think what I would grab if there was ever an evacuation notice. We always think that won’t happen to us. Your story has made me realize better to be prepared. Also next time you’re in Florida let me know and I’ll bring the boat down for the weekend.
Thanks for sharing, this and your whole story. We were on pre-evacuation so we had time to pack and a slightly better sense of how bad things were with the fire. It was difficult to figure out what to pack besides some obvious things, similar to what you packed. I appreciate your reflection based on what you know now.
Sorry for your loss of Billy. In the moment, you really could not have anticipated that you were not coming back to your home. None of us who live here in the 'suburbs' and the 'plains' could have imagined that a grass fire would turn into what it did. Nothing quite like this has happened in Colorado before.
Agreed. This was unprecedented. I hope you all managed to avoid smoke damage, which I know was extensive.
We faced the same issue with our family cabin during the Batman fire
It burned very close and we grabbed photos and antiques
Luckily it survived but I’m just so glad you got your beautiful family out!
Hope you can rebuild!