The aftermath

Sunday afternoon. It's been 9 days, 4 hours, and 28 minutes since he left again. Since that gut-wrenching moment when he stepped into the airport security line. Nine days, 2 hours, and 22 minutes since he called from LAX to tell me he was boarding his plane for Japan and that he loved me. Eight days and 8 hours since he called from Narita (Tokyo) Airport to tell me he'd made it back safely.

The good news is that it's easier this time. I haven't spent a lot of time in the last 9-ish days sobbing on the bed. Or in my car. Or in my office with the door closed and my hand clasped tightly over my mouth to muffle the noise. This time it's deeper, quieter, and stealthier. It hides under my busy-ness waiting until it's quiet and I'm tired, and then it pounces. I miss him more now than before he came home simply because I know there's no chance of his coming home for at least seven months, probably more like nine. Assuming that I ever get to move into my new townhouse, I'll live there for the better part of a year all by myself. I just miss him...simple as that.

About the fires, they are the only thing in the world that would have distracted me from TCB's being gone. Unless you've been through it, you just cannot imagine how horrific it's been around here for the last week. Close to 600,000 people evacuated. Over 1,200 homes burned. I don't even know how many acres any more, but it's a lot. A whole lot. Everyone knows someone who was evacuated and also someone who lost their home. Today, on a lot that's about 1.7 miles from my new townhouse, volunteers from the Junior League are helping one of our members and her husband sift through the burned ashes of what used to be her house so that it can be bulldozed tomorrow. This time last week she was sitting in her living room watching football and this week she's sifting ashes. Amazing. Anyway, if you'd like to make a donation to help those who lost their homes or businesses, the Junior League has established a fund that will go straight to those folks. I've got a pretty button on my sidebar or you can click on any of the links directly above. The fires tried to destroy us, but San Diego is stronger than that and we'll all pull together to make this right again.

Comments

Lori G. said…
I'm glad to hear how things are going for you. I can only imagine how sad you must feel with TCB in Japan. I'm glad you posted a link for the people in San Diego.

You hang tough, okay?
rdhdprincess said…
Hi honey! I just wanted you to know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Carrie
Shannin said…
Any chance of you going to Japan in the next 7-9 months?

The fires have just been amazing. Sometimes I don't know what's more astonishing - the number of houses/acres that have been burned or the fact there isn't more.

Thinking of you...
Mae said…
Any news on your house? I can only imagine the horror. We had a scare not long ago here, when about 3/4 of an acre of grass went up in flames. It was about a half mile from our house.

Fortunately, it was contained very, very quickly - it was on its way across the "street" to National Forest. We've had a fairly dry autumn, and that would've been disastrous.
M@rla said…
I've tagged you, baby!

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