My daughter gave me tickets to a Broadway play for Christmas, as she usually does, knowing how much I cherish this gift that is the experience of spending time with my girl. Last night, we went to dinner and to see the musical Death Becomes Her, which was entertaining, but we both agreed it was not our favorite Broadway experience to date. The plot was funny, but shallow, however the company of my daughter was sublime and so I wouldn't have missed the evening for anything. I won't go on and on about it, though, because as we continue on with our lives on this coast, our city in a snowy deep freeze right now, people on the other coast are watching their homes burn, watching whole neighborhoods become twisted steel and broken char, smoke and ash like a soup in the air. Whole swathes of Los Angeles are in flames, peoples lives are in shambles, the images on our TVs show an apocalypse. “It seems like the end of the world," our friend there, Elizabeth Aquino, wrote this morning. Her son Oliver has been going out to work at the restaurant; all week he has been feeding exhausted firefighters. On her Substack, Elizabeth posted these links if you want to combat the helplessness that I fear so many of us are feeling. May she and her family remain safe, may the firefighters be protected, and may all those in the path of the flames find a way back from this hell. Amen.
Amen and amen again.
ReplyDeleteIt is impossible for those of us not there to grasp the reality of what's happening in California.
Your daughter is beautiful to see, and your description of your joy together is beautiful to read. I, too, have wonderful daughters, and will be posting next month from a holiday the YD is planning for us. Pure joy. And sun and sand, a bonus.
ReplyDeleteMy other daughter has a niece-in-law who lives just outside of the areas presently burning and who is in evacutation mode as I write. So glad to get a link that will allow me to do something more than prayer (much as it feels good to do so) for the victims of this catastrophe. We have had towns burn in Canada, so it is possible for us to imagine what is happening, but the scope is dreadful. I am happy that Canadian firefighters are joining the battle. May we have better news soon, please.
The CA fires are catastrophic, and the ongoing loss of so many homes is shocking. It seems the winds carry the flames and are making it nearly impossible to get totally under control. Our news says winds are decreasing but within the same day they are on the increase and spreading flames again.
ReplyDeleteThe time spent with your daughter is precious. You are both looking fabulous.
A beautiful photo of you two. Yes, the fires in LA puts life in perspective, doesn't it. Thank you for providing a link to Elizabeth's post. I haven't been in touch for awhile. We need to be spreading love and kindness to these poor souls (all of them) instead of barking unmerited criticism. _ Tara
ReplyDeleteAmen.
ReplyDeleteSpending time with my daughter is always a treat! You two look so beautiful in that photo.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad so many are stepping up to help put out the fires and provide aid.
Such a beautiful photo of you and your daughter. Lovely in every way. It is so heartbreaking to think about what's going on in Los Angeles right now. We have a "fire season" up here on the far north coast of California, but what's going on in southern California is a truly huge unfolding tragedy. (NewRobin13)
ReplyDeleteI read today that yes, it's climate change but more deeply it is human caused through human greed. The climate, the plane be damned if it makes us more money so the rich get richer. And so here we are. We are going to exterminate ourselves. Towns washed away in floods, or burned to the ground. The loss is staggering. Immutable unmoving nature.
ReplyDeleteIt's easy to see why so many people ask you to write their stories.
"Death Becomes Her" is now a musical? I hadn't heard that. Nice photo of the two of you. This California situation is beyond comprehension. I can't even wrap my mind around so much destruction.
ReplyDeleteAmen, I'm so glad that Elizabeth and her Family are safe. We have Family in Cali and Friends there who Thankfully are safe too. Glad you got to spend quality time with your Girl, that is a Priceless Gift.
ReplyDeleteCodex: During ww2 people went to the movies to escape for a few hours and watch Hollywood glam. Duality was there too.
ReplyDeleteIt's hard to fathom the loss. What's particularly distressing is that recovery will occur on that man's watch, so you know it will be a mix of revenge and stupidity.
ReplyDeleteI am sorry the incoming have no understanding of the damage or depth of loss in LA and that the already distressed, homeless and displaced are to experience additional burdens because of this.
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