With the wildfires raging in Southern California, and the general chaos in the world, writing has been almost impossible for me. As time goes by and I find out how many people I know have lost their homes, it has become even more personal and more difficult to know what to say or do.
Supportive friends suggested that I simply put down what I was feeling. It would be a way to connect with people, something we desperately need to do right now. This morning I got another sign. My packet of Truvia said, “Empathy Empowers.”
ELBEE Yes, she’s till getting inspiration from artificial sweeteners
I realized that if I could reach out to offer a bit of empathy or to share the kindness I’ve witnessed, then that’s what I needed to do. For me and so many others, human connection is one of the best ways to relieve anxiety.
The mountains, my happy place, are another way that I cope. I know I shouldn’t complain with all of the devastation, but I have been going through hiking withdrawal. Understandably, most of the popular trails have been closed since the fires began. Not only are there signs announcing that the areas are off limits until further notice, the National Guard has been positioned on many local streets to keep people from heading up there.
Walking Stanley and Henry, I have chatted with some of the men and women who, by the way, are not allowed to leave their posts during their 12 hour shifts. They have all been so kind and appreciative of the dog therapy too.
Most of them have come in from other areas like San Diego and are not familiar with the local mountains. Of course, I can’t help myself, and tell them all about our local trails, the beauty, the serenity, the ocean views.
A few days ago, to my surprise, one of the guardsman, said it would be okay if I wanted to go up a short trail to dirt Mulholland. It was as if he sensed my need. He added that at the top, I could only go to the right. I would have been grateful even if I had to stand in one place.
I was overwhelmed just being up there. As I walked for a few minutes, I was overcome with emotion. I wasn’t in an area that had been burned but it was browned out from the clearance and the work that had been done to contain the fires. It was also muddy from the rain. The enormity of it really struck me.
This photo with Henry was taken a week or so before the fires when we had no idea of what was to come. It was just a perfect Sunday for hiking. I was happy to be up there but I will never again take the privilege of being in the mountains for granted.
