My heart, thoughts and prayers go out to all my near-neighbors who’ve lost their houses in these San Diego firestorms. Our neighborhood was untouched, and aside from a pool-full of ash and a smoky smell to the air, our place is fine.
My wife, three step-daughters, and I evacuated for a couple of days, which, with the exception of the fire-related stress, was more like a mini-vacation than a refugee experience. When I checked in at the Manchester Hyatt (we were lucky enough to find a couple of rooms before they were all snatched–thanks, Andrea!) the agent asked me if I was part of the “fire group,” which would qualify us for a special room rate and a 20% discount on all food and beverages.
“Ummm…okay…the fire group. I guess that would be us.”
The hotel staff did a great job of handling our “group,” but I was a little disappointed that I didn’t get a name tag.
Hello My Name is Steve. Poway. Evacuee.
It was interesting to see what each person in our family had packed to take with them. In addition to a few changes of clothes:
Presley, the 12 year old soccer player (state cup champs last year), took all her soccer medals, a soccer ball, and a picture that my son, Jeremy, had drawn for her a couple of years ago. And, of course, the Wii.
Kelsey, 17, took all her shoes.
Heather, 14, grabbed the PS2.
My wife, Veronica, packed the important documents, select family photo albums, and a folder full of old letters that my father had written to my mother in the years before I was born. Jeez…I hadn’t even thought of that.
I gathered up my favorite guitars: my Martin D-45, Fender Strat, 1959 Gibson ES-330 and 1980 Gibson ES-347. Those, and my laptop, were all I really cared to take with me.
Frankly, as long as my family was safe, nothing else truly mattered, but still, it seems that what we pack when fleeing a fire says at least something about who we are. At least in that adrenaline-stoked moment.
So here’s a question for you: with a fire marching towards your home, and minutes to decide, what would you pack?
And may that question be forever hypothetical for you and yours.
I would take my ipod, my laptop and my books. Actually, I have quite a number of books so I would probably commandeer a fire engine or ambulance to carry them in. Sad, but true.
My thoughts and prayers are with you, your family and friends.
I would take my ipod, my laptop and my books. Actually, I have quite a number of books so I would probably commandeer a fire engine or ambulance to carry them in. Sad, but true.
My thoughts and prayers are with you, your family and friends.
Steve:
The whole experience of evacuating was indeed strange. Packing the artwork, the paintings the important papers, the books, the computers, the animals, the jewelry et al was one kind of experience. But there was so much more to it than stuff. As a writer yourself, the metaphors of fire and smoke, of burning away and re-emergence are powerful, archetypal symbols. Until the smoke is blown away, the clarity of mind is obscured. And the power of the fire to render the most solid material into dust is an amazing, and for many, painful reminder that the world is truly made of mind and what is can be transformed. If only it were as easy to live as it is to recognize. I described this experience to one friend as one filled with little exhaustions. Getting away was a relief and a luxury. As I stayed glued to the TV while away, it made me feel tremendous compassion for those displaced by war, who wouldn’t be able to go back in a day or two, where loss wasn’t just measured in things but in the eyes of all the others battered by the relentless onslaught and tension of continual worry. Yeah, we were lucky our stuff still exists, but it’s not just what I would take, but what am I really ready to shed. We had a friend lose everything including two BMWs and a house filled with memories and all they couldn’t take. And to me that’s the real opportunity for transformation. My question is would I take it or merely replace the stuff?
Onward,
Ron
Steve:
The whole experience of evacuating was indeed strange. Packing the artwork, the paintings the important papers, the books, the computers, the animals, the jewelry et al was one kind of experience. But there was so much more to it than stuff. As a writer yourself, the metaphors of fire and smoke, of burning away and re-emergence are powerful, archetypal symbols. Until the smoke is blown away, the clarity of mind is obscured. And the power of the fire to render the most solid material into dust is an amazing, and for many, painful reminder that the world is truly made of mind and what is can be transformed. If only it were as easy to live as it is to recognize. I described this experience to one friend as one filled with little exhaustions. Getting away was a relief and a luxury. As I stayed glued to the TV while away, it made me feel tremendous compassion for those displaced by war, who wouldn’t be able to go back in a day or two, where loss wasn’t just measured in things but in the eyes of all the others battered by the relentless onslaught and tension of continual worry. Yeah, we were lucky our stuff still exists, but it’s not just what I would take, but what am I really ready to shed. We had a friend lose everything including two BMWs and a house filled with memories and all they couldn’t take. And to me that’s the real opportunity for transformation. My question is would I take it or merely replace the stuff?
Onward,
Ron
I remembered that you lived in San Diego yesterday. I can definitely relate after I was evacuated during Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne in 2004. I’m glad to see that you and your family are safe. My best wishes to you and your family, Steve!
Michael Neely
I remembered that you lived in San Diego yesterday. I can definitely relate after I was evacuated during Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne in 2004. I’m glad to see that you and your family are safe. My best wishes to you and your family, Steve!
Michael Neely
My MacBook Pro an my Wallet.
My MacBook Pro an my Wallet.
Glad to hear you’re ok – and what a great question!
Of course living things go first – dogs and cats (figuring the teenagers and my husband can get out on their own).
My laptop, iPod, Blackberry, some clothes, and my favorite Briggs & Riley bag – I could put it all in there!
Oh – and my 1 quart plastic baggie of 3 ounce or less liquids and gels.
I guess I travel to much.
Glad to hear you’re ok – and what a great question!
Of course living things go first – dogs and cats (figuring the teenagers and my husband can get out on their own).
My laptop, iPod, Blackberry, some clothes, and my favorite Briggs & Riley bag – I could put it all in there!
Oh – and my 1 quart plastic baggie of 3 ounce or less liquids and gels.
I guess I travel to much.
Wife, dogs, wallet, PC backups, mobile telephone, iPod touch, digital camera, clean underwear and shirts, washkit. Mind you, in the time it took to reflect on that list I suspect my house would burned down so maybe wife, dogs and wallet would do.
Wow: this reminds me that backing up is one thing but keeping the backup elsewhere is what I need to get around to. An incinerated backup has very little use…
Family, laptop, planner, medications, change of clothes, dog (in no particular order)
Glad to hear you’re OK, Steve… you’ve been on my mind recently. Saw some SD people at my last conference and they said it’s been pretty intense out there.
Family, laptop, planner, medications, change of clothes, dog (in no particular order)
Glad to hear you’re OK, Steve… you’ve been on my mind recently. Saw some SD people at my last conference and they said it’s been pretty intense out there.
Steve,
Going through this post now, Hope things are all back to ok and you had a good Christmas.
I would pick the key family documents, Laptop, IPod, Family photos, Books what ever I am allowed to carry.
Interesting question to mull over, thanks for posting it.
Karthik
Bangalore, India.
Steve,
Going through this post now, Hope things are all back to ok and you had a good Christmas.
I would pick the key family documents, Laptop, IPod, Family photos, Books what ever I am allowed to carry.
Interesting question to mull over, thanks for posting it.
Karthik
Bangalore, India.
This post was too interesting for me to pass up. In case of a fire emergency, I would probably bring my Mac. I’m not sure if I can get to all my documents on time but I’d probably bring the bag I use for work. My girlfriend (who’s actually with me at the moment) says she would bring money, her passport, a picture of us and all the basic clothes she could carry and stash them in one of her large bags. To be fair, my Mac does have all our pictures together.
This post was too interesting for me to pass up. In case of a fire emergency, I would probably bring my Mac. I’m not sure if I can get to all my documents on time but I’d probably bring the bag I use for work. My girlfriend (who’s actually with me at the moment) says she would bring money, her passport, a picture of us and all the basic clothes she could carry and stash them in one of her large bags. To be fair, my Mac does have all our pictures together.