Zibby! I relate to your story; so filled with love and heartbreak. As a 30-year Angeleno, I only moved from our dream life and home in Los Angeles in 2020 because the many threats of fire (seen from our windows) had me in a near-constant state of panic. I could never turn my phone off at night, even though the winds would often come too fast in our area for alerts. I’d go to bed wondering, praying I’d have enough time to save the dogs and horses. It still makes me cry thinking of it—and all of my dear friends who’ve lost everything. My sister still lives there, in a home filled with our late parent’s things. Things like you’re experiencing are one of a kind, irreplaceable, and forever in our hearts. I pray they’re spared. Oh, goodness. Big love to you, Zibby. You do so much for so many, and my heart and prayers are always with you, your beautiful store, and your family. xoxo
Hi Linda...you'll never remember me and it doesn't matter, but I know you and what you've done for authors. Good to see you have a connection to Zibby, even in light of this dire tragedy. (FYI: our connection was from an author also named Linda, back in the early 2010s.)
You are absolutely allowed to feel all this. You and your family made a life there. You described so well the loss because of all the daily living people have in that place, gone in a matter of minutes. I am so sorry for your heartbreak and for all the people there
If only I could contribute these tears of mine to help put out the flames. Feeling the loss from afar, through the powerful writing yet unable to cry until I read this post...even after offering my home to several friends who've lost....
Zibby, in addition to prayers, please let us know the best ways to support you and your community in recovery from the horrific losses and ongoing tragedy. ❤️🩹
Oh Zibby! Thank you so much for stepping up and speaking up! All of us "on the outside" are lost. We don't know what to do or what to say. Our hearts ache for a loss we are not a part of. But thank you for writing this post and filling us in, not just so we can have more information from ground zero, but so we can band together from far away and let you know that you, and all of California, have thousands of people crying, and hoping, and praying right along with you. xoxo
I'm so sorry for what you are going through, Zibby. Your descriptions of the close-knit Palisades community and its old-fashioned feel made me think of the fires that destroyed Jasper, Alberta, last summer, a beautiful Rocky Mountain community four hours west of where I live that so many people treasured because it is such an unspoiled little town. And now it has to be completely rebuilt. Wildfires are terrifying for so many reasons, not the least of which is that they show us how very powerless we are in the face of raging nature. I have a new appreciation for just how scary fires are, because the house two doors down from us went up in flames just after midnight on Halloween, and three houses on either side of it were destroyed as a result. I stood across the street and watched the house next to ours catch fire and I kept saying, "Oh my God, my house is going to burn." Then a ladder truck showed up and the firefighters got to work. Our house was spared. I don't think we give first responders nearly enough credit.
This is truly inconceivable. My heart goes out to you, Zibby, and the entire community. I feel helpless. Beyond making a financial donation to the Global Giving fund, I wish there was more I could do. Please let me know if I can support you and the community in any other way. Sending so much love. ❤️
I am so sorry for what you and your loved ones have been dealing with, Zibby. Here where I live in Cyprus, we often get wildfires, but we have never seen anything quite on this scale. I hope you are able to salvage something from your home, and for those unable to do that I send my deepest condolences for what they have lost.
Zibby, You made what was a tv news story real for me tonight and while I'd felt waves of sadness for Los Angeles, I now feel apocalyptic woe for all the people of The Palisades. I always fantasized about going to The Palisades. I love places with "The" in their names (the Seychelles; the Bronx; the Louvre); it makes them sound like book titles! It seems incomprehensible that there is no longer a "The Palisades". I hope your home survives and your book store survives. I guess the main thing here is YOU survived.
We all process losses in our own way, in our own time. Your heart has been wounded in so many ways and although that scar may fad over time but will always leave a mark. Give yourself grace in navigating this extraordinary tough event. Know you are strong and loved. Prayers to you, your family and all those affected.
I'm so sorry for your and your community's unfathomable losses. I can't even think of anything useful to say, except that so many strangers are thinking of all of you and we'll help soon.
My heart aches for you, your community, your loved ones and everyone experiencing this horrific event. People are people and everyone who loses homes, family treasures and the beloved sense of community should experience an outpouring of support, compassion and support. Your online community is here for you. ❤️
so very very sorry, so very very sad...every sentiment, every tear, every heartbeat...a pain we share even if not firsthand...from encino with love and hope to rebuild and reimagine better, even when imagination fails and loss clouds vision...
Zibby! I relate to your story; so filled with love and heartbreak. As a 30-year Angeleno, I only moved from our dream life and home in Los Angeles in 2020 because the many threats of fire (seen from our windows) had me in a near-constant state of panic. I could never turn my phone off at night, even though the winds would often come too fast in our area for alerts. I’d go to bed wondering, praying I’d have enough time to save the dogs and horses. It still makes me cry thinking of it—and all of my dear friends who’ve lost everything. My sister still lives there, in a home filled with our late parent’s things. Things like you’re experiencing are one of a kind, irreplaceable, and forever in our hearts. I pray they’re spared. Oh, goodness. Big love to you, Zibby. You do so much for so many, and my heart and prayers are always with you, your beautiful store, and your family. xoxo
Hi Linda...you'll never remember me and it doesn't matter, but I know you and what you've done for authors. Good to see you have a connection to Zibby, even in light of this dire tragedy. (FYI: our connection was from an author also named Linda, back in the early 2010s.)
Thanks, Linda. Sending love.
You are absolutely allowed to feel all this. You and your family made a life there. You described so well the loss because of all the daily living people have in that place, gone in a matter of minutes. I am so sorry for your heartbreak and for all the people there
My heart hurts for you and all those who have suffered such enormous losses. The devastation is so unthinkable, and the footage is horrific.
Your essay captures your pain and "new type of grief" succinctly, but moreso, it reflects the heart and soul of a community that...once was.
If only I could contribute these tears of mine to help put out the flames. Feeling the loss from afar, through the powerful writing yet unable to cry until I read this post...even after offering my home to several friends who've lost....
Thank you. What a beautiful thought. We'd all have enough tears for that, for sure.
Zibby, in addition to prayers, please let us know the best ways to support you and your community in recovery from the horrific losses and ongoing tragedy. ❤️🩹
Oh Zibby! Thank you so much for stepping up and speaking up! All of us "on the outside" are lost. We don't know what to do or what to say. Our hearts ache for a loss we are not a part of. But thank you for writing this post and filling us in, not just so we can have more information from ground zero, but so we can band together from far away and let you know that you, and all of California, have thousands of people crying, and hoping, and praying right along with you. xoxo
I'm so sorry for what you are going through, Zibby. Your descriptions of the close-knit Palisades community and its old-fashioned feel made me think of the fires that destroyed Jasper, Alberta, last summer, a beautiful Rocky Mountain community four hours west of where I live that so many people treasured because it is such an unspoiled little town. And now it has to be completely rebuilt. Wildfires are terrifying for so many reasons, not the least of which is that they show us how very powerless we are in the face of raging nature. I have a new appreciation for just how scary fires are, because the house two doors down from us went up in flames just after midnight on Halloween, and three houses on either side of it were destroyed as a result. I stood across the street and watched the house next to ours catch fire and I kept saying, "Oh my God, my house is going to burn." Then a ladder truck showed up and the firefighters got to work. Our house was spared. I don't think we give first responders nearly enough credit.
This is truly inconceivable. My heart goes out to you, Zibby, and the entire community. I feel helpless. Beyond making a financial donation to the Global Giving fund, I wish there was more I could do. Please let me know if I can support you and the community in any other way. Sending so much love. ❤️
I am so, so sorry. Sending love to everyone in LA.
I am so sorry for what you and your loved ones have been dealing with, Zibby. Here where I live in Cyprus, we often get wildfires, but we have never seen anything quite on this scale. I hope you are able to salvage something from your home, and for those unable to do that I send my deepest condolences for what they have lost.
Zibby, You made what was a tv news story real for me tonight and while I'd felt waves of sadness for Los Angeles, I now feel apocalyptic woe for all the people of The Palisades. I always fantasized about going to The Palisades. I love places with "The" in their names (the Seychelles; the Bronx; the Louvre); it makes them sound like book titles! It seems incomprehensible that there is no longer a "The Palisades". I hope your home survives and your book store survives. I guess the main thing here is YOU survived.
Just devastating, and so unthinkable. Watching from afar with horror and sending love ❤
We all process losses in our own way, in our own time. Your heart has been wounded in so many ways and although that scar may fad over time but will always leave a mark. Give yourself grace in navigating this extraordinary tough event. Know you are strong and loved. Prayers to you, your family and all those affected.
I'm so sorry for your and your community's unfathomable losses. I can't even think of anything useful to say, except that so many strangers are thinking of all of you and we'll help soon.
My heart aches for you, your community, your loved ones and everyone experiencing this horrific event. People are people and everyone who loses homes, family treasures and the beloved sense of community should experience an outpouring of support, compassion and support. Your online community is here for you. ❤️
so very very sorry, so very very sad...every sentiment, every tear, every heartbeat...a pain we share even if not firsthand...from encino with love and hope to rebuild and reimagine better, even when imagination fails and loss clouds vision...