We're hanging in there. Karen and I just bought a car this afternoon to replace the one that burned up in our garage.
I did these two pages at the request of a TV station that's adapting "A Fire Story" into something really special. I'll tell you all about it when it's time. They asked "How are you doing now?" and I wrote and drew this in response.
I expect I'll have a lot more to say about this experience in time. Starting to feel like maybe I can process it into something interesting.
14 comments:
I really agree with what you are saying. I just couldn't even imagine not having a place to go home to. We really want to help, as I hope you know, but we also really don't know how. On Sunday I could really hear the anquish in Karen's voice. It's just difficult to give a hug over the phone. Let us know if there is anything we can do, except manual labor of course??? GM & GF send you their love.
What kind of car did you buy? Probably another Honda Accord, but maybe a Hybrid?
"Starting to feel like maybe I can process it into something interesting." If it gets any more interesting than it already has been, I don't think I'll be able to stand it.
Are you working with your usual materials now?
Thanks, GF, we know you're there for us. We'll tell you about the car privately, but she's a pretty one.
Sherwood, not yet. I just don't have the space and wherewithall for any sort of art studio. Soon I think. Also, to maintain continuity with the previous pages, I did these with the same materials although I have in fact had time to get to an art supply store and pick up a few better pens and such.
So sorry. It's really rough and achingly painful to read, so how on earth is it to go through day after day... I agree, if it's a matter of losing your life and your loved ones, or not.... but stuff is NOT always "just stuff." It's history and connections and memories..... and especially creations over the decades. I would never think to say that.
My family does not share their feelings as openly as you or I. People deal differently due to many individual factors. Part of the problem is physical distance. For example, recently a friend asked if I could run a quick errand while they were at the hospital with their child. Sure. I was able to help in a small way and they were able to deal privately with their child's complex medical issues and it was really appreciated. I love my family and will wait until they tell me what I can do to help. They are probably trying to figure out from day to day what they need, let alone finding space for an additional person. Right now I don't know what I could realistically do and would probably feel in the way if I traveled out there. Friends and neighbors would probably be more comfort as they are in the same situation. In the meantime your thoughts have given me a feeling of connection to them and to the area and that is very much appreciated.
Somehow it's even more heartbreaking to read the comic than to have read your initial description--and that was heartbreaking enough. Stuff is always so much more than just stuff. It's the record of your lives. I'm so sorry.
We went through it with the Bel Air Fire in 1971, and Grandma's little cabin in Deer Lake Highlands, Chatsworth went up with a lifetime of happiness and memories. We have the obligatory "melted things" and the refired ceramics...
And worst, she slid into the morass and ended up losing her Independence - Don't let that happen.
Take active steps to archive all the Stuff you have saved online now, including the voicemail you saved from Oblivion. The phone company wipes it accidentally...
It only takes one idiot or hacker at the web hosting to erase the site with 20 years of archives figuring "he has paper & digital backups!" - Not Anymore he doesn't...
Get a NAS Drive to back it up to, then a big C: drive on the desktop, then Carbonite or Crashplan for offsite "belt & suspenders" past that. Then burn onto DVD-R and send copies to several out of state relatives.
Wow. "Breathing in my neighbor's lives." That's chilling. Crying a bit for you. Hugs from Oregon.
Brian,
It's fascinatingly similar to my family's story. I feel your loss, deeply and personally.
Love,
Shelley
Wow,I'm amazed that You were able to keep it together enough to share Your pain as much as You were!My heart and prayers go out to You and Your family and to all those affected by this terrible event.My heart broke for You ALL when I read this. Thank You for sharing this with us.
A strange twisted meandering internet route to you and this page. I can't even come up with any words, seems anything I think is so "trite". All I can do is send a virtual hug to you and yours, and a stranger's prayers. Stay expressive.
I'm not exactly sure how I ended up on your site, but now that I'm here, I'm heartbroken. I love the line about breathing in your neighbors' lives and also, "Stuff is a marker of time and memory." Finding a small trinket I stashed away from my childhood can be the catalyst for a host of memories, which without the trigger, I probably wouldn't remember. Thank you for putting that into words. I look forward to checking out your other work, although I can't imagine anything being more powerful. Peace and rest to you.
Saw your story in an documentation im from germany and im very interestet in your fire story im a firefighter and never saw a bush fire like this hope it never happen to you again
Katharina, thank you for commenting, I appreciate your perspective very much! Unfortunately, fires like mine seem to be becoming more common, but I hope you never face one.
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