Lance, poignant post. The devastation does not stop with the fire being put out. It will take a long time to recover from the fires. The immediate problems are the critical aspect for now. Natural disaster, whether started by man or complicated by man, brings sorrow and compassion to the world at large as we watch. We can send money and in true times of need we rally, leave our jobs and physically go there to be of service. 911 brought out our country and our people filled with courage, compassion and bravery to help. Our hearts are with the victims of these horrible fires and we thank you for reminding us that this is not over and it will not be over for some time. You are correct, we must live with strength, dignity and not fear. No matter what the human spirit will prevail. 

Lance, fires can devastate a family so completely without killing anyone.  I just moved to Michigan after 5 years in Florida...the hurricanes as with all natural disasters are emotionless forces that hit anything in their path.  I think for me the uncertainty of fires would be more difficult to recover from.  The families can only console each other but there is nothing left to retrieve in many cases...as was the case in New Orleans.  We can only pray and send money to the organizations that can have an immediate impact on the people left behind.  Nice post Lance.

Lance, a welcome post and very meaningful to those still suffering.  Emotionally & financially I am still recovering from being flooded three times in a 2 year time period.  I know it was "just" the basement and we had a home to go back to.  It hurts even more knowing that so many others are going through the same, and even many more, worse distress.  I have to believe that strength will come!

The pooring out of support has been incredible, even here in Malibu, where most folks are doing fine supporting themselves, not everyone but most. We have some friends in Fallbrook, CA, whose neighbors all lost their homes, the communities are pulling back together, but its going to be a while.

I believe FEMA, and all the non-profits did a very good job out here. The corporate help especially during and right after the fire was terrific.

Still the on-going long-term support is what is needed. Judi, Gary and Jeanean, you are are right on top of the real problems from those fires, what comes next and assisting those still in need is paramount, it takes a lot of help. = Lance.

Wow! In general I ahve never considered all the things that follow. Like most people after the hoo ha dies down I forget about it..Sorry, but I am honest at least. Thanks for the view into what a tragedy looks like after the media go home...

Vanessa,

First, I would like to say, I have very much enjoyed reading thru your website and I have really enjoyed visiting Brentwood TN, too.

http://www.carwashguys.com/tour_brentwood.shtml

http://www.carwashguys.com/titans.shtml

http://www.carwashguys.com/tour_franklin.shtml

http://www.carwashguys.com/mcc_tour2.shtml

http://www.carwashguys.com/mcc_tour14.shtml

And we have helped in the community there also:

http://www.carwashguys.com/innews16.shtml

http://nashville.bizjournals.com/nashville/stories/2000/11/06/smallb2.html

http://www.carwashguys.com/innews7.shtml

Meanwhile, back in California, my friends in Fallbrook said that the bunny rabbits have come back and some of the lizards and small critters and the smaller birds too. The larger black crows have not come back yet, well not many, they mostly fly over. In Malibu the dear are now coming back to not much in the blackened areas, and some have come down lower in order to eat. The water looks like hell in some places and the canyons, well some of them look like what you might think hell would look like if there were one. - Lance

All,

Senator Barbara Boxer, discussed this at a Rotary Club meeting in Southern Cal, and reiterated her concerns after the massive rains we got, they are working to shore up the problems. Lance