Trigger moments as LA burns

Since the February 2022 foods I feel like my empathy muscle has grown exponentially.

Every time I see a disaster in the news, either overseas or here in Australia, I am transfxed and memories and emotions come streaming back.

I have an insight into what the victims are feeling, what they will be going through and what road they will need to travel in the near future.

When the hurricanes hit Florida, when further foods affected other Australian towns and now the bushfres in Los Angeles, to name a few.

All of them have drawn me to stare at the news on television or got me clicking through to online stories on my laptop to fnd out the latest.

While I don’t know anyone in LA, I feel the angst for those who have lost their houses in this ‘apocalyptic’ event.

One woman was interviewed where she described how her children’s schools were no longer there, neither were her neighbours, the library, all the businesses and community buildings…all gone.

Another exp-pat Australian woman had to go to Target to buy everything from underwear to toothbrushes.

Her description of wandering around in circles crying and not sure what to do next struck a chord.

Many a time after the food I felt like I was in a confusion bubble, wandering the shops trying to gather a plan of what we needed, but not knowing where to start when there was so much we had to get.

There will be plenty of that in Los Angeles over the days, weeks and months as they overcome the tragedy of the wildfres that have hit this iconic city.

There will be fngerpointing, there will be donations, there will be blaming, there will be people living with friends, family and even strangers.

Community spirit will come to the fore with restaurants providing food, airbnbs offering accommodation. It will be a beautiful reaction to a devastating time.

If you would like to donate to help those suffering through the loss of their homes, here is a link to the California Community Foundation: calfund.org/funds/ wildfre-recovery-fund.