Downsizing by Choice.
As we have been downsizing from a 3 bedroom 2 bath home overlooking Lake Hartwell into a 575 square foot 1 bedroom 1 bath apartment, we have had to make a lot of choices of what to keep and what to divest.
Some stuff we gave away. Some we sold. And some we kept.
The process of getting rid of stuff has been freeing in many ways. But already there are items I have needed the next day after boxing them off to the thrift store. But I have been the one who made the decisions. I have had the final yes and the final no.
Downsizing with no Choice.
This was not the case with many of my friends from my hometown in the Kern River Valley who have lost everything in a devastating fire. I first heard the news of the fire when my friends reported on Facebook that their house had burned to the ground in the Erskine Fire in California. (Someone has graciously set up a GoFundMe account on their behalf.)
Having just packed my belongings, I was keenly aware of those things I cherish most: pictures, journals, notebooks, childhood mementos, computers, favorite Bibles, books, homemade linens, family heirlooms, and other irreplaceable’s. And I had the choice to keep what I wished and discard what mattered the least.
My friends and 200 other families in the Erskine Fire did not have the same choice. They couldn’t sort through their photo albums for duplicate photos to discard. They didn’t have the opportunity to look through their childhood memories one last time before packing them off to a new house. They couldn’t decide which pieces of furniture to keep and which to sell. They didn’t have a chance to smell their grandmother’s quilt one last time.
The choice was made for them. It would all burn to the ground and return to dust. And unfortunately, no GoFundMe account would make up for the things that were lost.
The Fire’s Choice.
The Erskine Fire took the choice out of their hands, forever altering the lives of the residents of Kern River Valley — where I grew up and lived 35 years of my life.
While the choice was taken out of the hands of the Kern Valley residents, the Erskine Fire was free to make its own. It’s first flame started 300 yards behind a good friend’s house. The house is still standing — the Erskine Fire opted to burn in the opposite direction toward the town of South Lake — where I had lived for almost five years.
It destroyed whole neighborhoods, leaving a house here or a mobile there on some mysterious whim. The house my husband built in the area (and we lived in for two plus years) was spared. But surrounding houses were destroyed. USA Today caught the picture.
And other neighborhoods around the corner we obliterated.
Photojournalist, Michael Cuffe, captured the fire at night. And if you didn’t know the devastation the fire had caused, you might think it was a sight to behold. Almost beautiful.
And there is something beautiful that has come out of the ashes as the residents of the Kern River Valley and people from surrounding cities and even the world have donated time, money, and resources to aid the hurting. This fire is demonstrating that beauty can indeed come out of ashes. Churches are having to turn down donations because they are getting too much. Local businesses are opening up their facilities for free to fire victims. And private homes are taking in the newly homeless as they transition.
This is not the first fire scare Kern River Valley has encountered. Fires are a regular part of the economy of the area. But this fire has been by far the most devastating in my lifetime. And the outpouring of love neighbor to neighbor is the greatest I have witnessed in the Valley.
Get Prepared.
It is impossible to know exactly when a fire will strike.
Unlike landlords, fires don’t give 30 days notice. The Erskine Fire came so fast, many could only flee with their lives. This is why it is so important to take precautions in case a fire comes to your home.
Here are 10 simple things you can do to prepare for a fire:
- Prepare before hand what you will do and what you will take when fire strikes
- Pack an evacuation box with extra clothes and toiletries and emergency rations
- Buy the best fireproof safe you can afford to store your valuable documents in the event you are not home when the fire breaks out
- Plan an escape route out of your home and city with variable routes
- If you have pets, factor them in your plan
- Know your neighbors well and help each other out
- Talk to local and nearby family about being there for each other in times of need
- Make sure you have fire insurance to cover your home and belongs (or renter’s insurance)
- Remember the importance of people over possessions
- Make sure you have assurance for your soul with a hope of heaven through faith in Jesus Christ in case you are unable to escape the temporal flames
If you make these decisions before the fire (or other emergency) breaks out — you will increase your presence of mind and ability to act. The important choices will be made in advance so you are prepared. All you must do is carry out the plan.
Ways to Help Erskine Fire Victims
If you want to find a family to help in the Erskine Fire, you can find people in need here: Go Fund Me Erskine Fire. Do your research to verify if the page is legitimate as anyone can start a GoFundMe account.
Click here for additional ways to help as listed by Bakersfield Now.
Disclaimer:
Reformed Health exists so you can take control of your own health and be all that God has designed you to be. The information shared on Reformed Health is the sole opinion of the author and is not meant to diagnose or treat any illness. None or our claims have been evaluated by the FDA or any other government organization. We are not medical doctors, nor do we have any medical doctors on staff. If you are having a health emergency, please call 911, contact your doctor, or visit a local emergency room. Always consult your doctor before engaging in any new exercise regime.
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Scripture quotations taken from the NASB.
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© 2017 Mischelle Sandowich
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