Unfortunately, we have the strangest seasons in California. We have Spring which is part beautiful and part mostly socked in in the coast with fog - it has its own name, June Gloom. Or at least it was June when I was a little kid. Now it extends from late April to end of July. By the end of July we are starting summer which is weird to have overcast heat. Summer extends all the way through to October, because it takes a small break to give us one nice week and we think it’s Fall but it’s not... cause it gets hot again... until we get a brief break of fall weather, and finally some winter. A good winter lets us pull out parkas for a brief reminder of how much we love our jackets and wish we could wear them longer... in a day, in a season. Even our coolest days tend to warm up. So we’re later people, lots of layers. And then somewhere along the way we get Fire season. The way the wind blows in this state you have to hold your breath when it starts and just wonder where the fires will hit and for how long. The last three years it’s been a month earlier each year. For us the worst was in December. Last year was November and then this year, October is hitting areas hard.
We live in a small bubble. Oddly, we are mostly protected. Three years ago we were completely surrounded by fire in three sides and water on the fourth. It was disconcerting to say the least. But no fire threat really. But like any bowl, things pour in. We were inundated with smoke and dangerous air. Three years ago, we put in AC. And thank God we did. We can keep that giving the kids safer air to breath when they are in here. My oldest spent exactly ten days in school in December that year... the other two maybe two days more. It was incredible. The early Christmas decorators were the only decorators. The fires started Dec 4th and raged on. After that, Christmas was a quiet little celebration of sheer gratitude for those is if not affected by anything but smoke.
We were not put under evacuation orders, but we were getting into a closer area of suggested evacuation because of air quality. We watched and waited. Keeping Bradley occupied while I packed was a task indeed. I put the girls in charge of brother while I ferried our medicines. I started with Bradley’s, then Sydney’s, and then Dad’s. Enough to get them through for a month, some are three month supplies in one bottle which is even better. Even Express Scripts can find us before the need gets dire if we had to bug out.
Once meds were done, it was the medical equipment. Feeding pump and nebulizers. I could bolus everything Bradley needs, but what if the changes and stress stops god intake completely... his pump, pole for the feeding pump, his pump backpack (for when he wears it all), and the bags - two different sizes. And then I set aside the cases of his food. Yes, I could buy this at the store but when you are evacuating, you can’t be certain there will be opportunity or supply. Last, I added his water and his juices. Why juices? His tastebuds back then were really dulled, even today he is not great at straight water, we’re working on it. But juice wise I try to get in extra vitamins as much as I can, especially the super Bs!
Then, it was the paperwork, stuff we had to have or have a harder time replacing. Like Consular Certificates of Birth Abroad - we got two kids with those... that’s an Embassy request. Good reminder - need to get copies ordered. And then I had to stop and think. Jewelry. Of course... the sentimental value alone supersedes some of the actual values, but those were important factors too.
For the last part, I have the girls duffel bags and we instructed them to get three days worth of clothes and get them in the bag. Then I checked their bags, lots of room. So then it was extra clothes and special personal items. For the most part they were really good about it, I only kicked out a couple posters and some random items that were easily replaceable to make room for more important items like contacts and other necessities like glasses... and a toothbrush, a hairbrush... a jacket, a couple sweatshirts. Knowing how Bradley can go through clothes, and luckily his still small size - almost everything of his fit in his bag... a good thing.
We never got to the point where we were loading...just to staging. Bags were kept against their bedroom walls where they were ready to be grabbed. The medical equipment was readily available for use, except the extra IV pole we have is always boxed and ready. Blankets folded and sitting on the back of the coach, always ready to be grabbed last.
From there we waited, ready to be ready to load. And the fires raged on and moved away from us. So instead of loading us up, we went and loaded up the van with essentials from the store- and we took them to donation spots to try to help those who had to rush out and had nothing. We did soap and shampoo, socks and diapers... tried to think of the things most needed and least donated. And as we handed them off we said a prayer for those in that need and a prayer of gratitude that we weren’t, that somehow things turned away from us and we could still be home. Safe from the fires and eventually, safe enough from the smoky air.
And now every year, we watch and we wait and we judge distance and smoke levels and are ready to do it all over again to prepare to get my respiratory compromised three out of harm’s way if necessary. Because we aren’t the ones that wait it out. We’re the ones that they say you should considering leaving and we would. And if the smoke filled air isn’t kept from inside the house - then we go. Taking chances with Bradley and Sydney aren’t an option. And if Dad hadn’t been safely at work almost on top of the water everyday - we might have gone anyway.
We were very lucky. Our struggle was keeping one active, little boy occupied at Home. So not a struggle...just a challenge. We were Blessed and watched over for sure.
31 For 21 Blog Challenge...there are no end to the extent and the amount of challenges in this life. Always watching these winds and these fires, and always praying for the safety of these fire fighters, first responders and silly news crews that just keep getting in the way. Sigh...
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