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My view of Hell, the Yountville Napa Valley 2017 Fire and living through it, the finale

By
Real Estate Agent with Better Homes & Gardens Wine Country Group DRE # 00770113

I have been here for 9 days, virtually locked in my home to avoid the fire and it consequences. Granted you would say this is a minimal sentence for sinning but I can assure you, I have been in Hell.

My first mistake was trying to explain what living through Hell is like. When one see embers floating by you larger than those which can ignite the night, this changes one's vision to a new perspective. When one sees photos and videos of all you think you know about flames, maybe then can one truly glimpse a tiny bit into Hates. Then when one sits and watches for 9 days the reality of being or not being, what the heck, who cares if I am damned or anything about the life thereafter.

Now near the end of this moment of introspection, I again pause. What prevails but this faint glimpse into who I am. Maybe on the deepest of Hell, the consequence of a worst way to go, I should have learned there is more to who I am,  to who I want to be. Finalizing to do so without an answer leaves many ways I can go. If it was left to me, where to choose the beginning and especially the end, gives my reality a new perspective. My escape is to squint tightly and try to envision who I want to be.

The conclusion to this tale. I have been here once too often. It is a familiar unwanted place. Much like the fires that surround, they blaze, they conquer and then fade away. Much like my being, it has come, it has been and then it needs to be again. Only I can ignite my soul. Only I can show it the way. Only I can write this ending which is left to me, which is ......................

Thanks to all who have offered me solace during these difficult times, this true glimpse into this vision of Hell. When one stares into the fire and sees the dancing demons for what they are, for what they be, you come away scalded with the truth. Fire is an illusion till you stare into its soul. Then and only then are you consumed by its being, you become its flame, you are transformed. Then you are no more than what you wrought.

Posted by

If I can help you find the perfect Napa Valley property, please contact me

Your Napa Valley Broker Extraordinaire, selling Real Estate here from its heart, Yountville

My website & blog: www.NapaValleyAddress.com

Comments(24)

Curtis Van Carter
Better Homes & Gardens Wine Country Group - Yountville, CA
Your Napa Valley Broker Extraordinaire

Anthony

Hopefully it will if the predicted rain comes this Friday. cheers cvc

Oct 17, 2017 05:36 AM
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

Good morning Curtis.  I hope that your hell will soon return to a place more like heaven.

Oct 17, 2017 05:56 AM
Sheila Anderson
Referral Group Incorporated - East Brunswick, NJ
The Real Estate Whisperer Who Listens 732-715-1133

Good morning Curtis. As I read this I kept thinking no one knows someone elses truth or reality. The very real flames are incomprehensible. You are in my thoughts.

Oct 17, 2017 06:02 AM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Curtis, sure hope this hell is almost over, and cannot fathom what you have been going through.

Oct 17, 2017 07:38 AM
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

Hello Curtis,  I am come know what the last 9 days have been like but so glad you are okay and you have lots of time to write the ending.  Take care my friend.

 

Oct 17, 2017 07:53 AM
Sandy Padula & Norm Padula, JD, GRI
HomeSmart Realty West & Florida Realty Investments - , CA
Presence, Persistence & Perseverance

Curtis Van Carter Here is hoping for colder, damp weather to help the firefighters get these blazes under control. We are relieved to read that you have persevered under this attack of bad karma.

Oct 17, 2017 07:56 AM
Curtis Van Carter
Better Homes & Gardens Wine Country Group - Yountville, CA
Your Napa Valley Broker Extraordinaire

Thank you all

Unfortunately, the rain predicted for Thursday & Friday is petering out and what was to about .5 inches is now .1. The Nuns fire continues to be a bear and there is a new break out on the slopes west of Rutherford heading toward the town. They are suppose to have fire breaks in place and because of the terrian, they let the fire continue to the breaks where ideally they stop it. For now, Yountville is safe but until these fires are 100% contained, I can't rest. As of 7:37 am this morning the Nuns fire was 68% contained.

Oct 17, 2017 09:08 AM
Debb Janes
Nature As Neighbors - Camas, WA
Put My Love of Nature At Work for You

This just breaks my heart. Please know you are in so many of our thoughts and prayers. I seriously cannot begin to fathom your hell of late. D

Oct 17, 2017 09:55 AM
Yolanda Cordova-Gilbert
Richmond, TX

Curtis,

 Thanks for the updates we were scheduled to go there but now we are not so sure what we are going to do. Bob does not want to go if the fires are still going.  The recovery is going to be long ! My thoughts are with all in the area.

Oct 17, 2017 11:30 AM
Curtis Van Carter
Better Homes & Gardens Wine Country Group - Yountville, CA
Your Napa Valley Broker Extraordinaire

Hi

There are quite a few here that have been impacted by these fires and my heart goes out to them. I was fortunate and never had to evacuate. Sure makes a big difference being in your home and not the nomad asking for help. Hopefully, never again cheers cvc

Oct 18, 2017 06:16 AM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

I hope you and your home are safe.

We have been watching the news reports.

Oct 19, 2017 09:13 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Curtis- this makes sitting through a hurricane a piece of cake. I cannot imagine what it must be like, I do hope that better days are ahead for you and everyone in CA. 

Oct 21, 2017 12:42 PM
Curtis Van Carter
Better Homes & Gardens Wine Country Group - Yountville, CA
Your Napa Valley Broker Extraordinaire

Kathy

At least a hurricane, earthquake are over in a short time, Harvey excepted. This lasted 10 days without knowing. Way too long for my psyche. cheers cvc

Oct 21, 2017 12:56 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

                      Thank you Curtis Van Carter And you're right, with a hurricane it comes and goes and for the most part, we're able to return to our homes. For those impacted by the fires, they have no idea if there is a home to return to. 

Oct 21, 2017 05:57 PM
Marco Giancola
Beachfront Realty - Miami Beach, FL
Realtor (305)608-1922, Miami Beach Florida

Hello Curtis-very moving post to say the least. We all experience our own personal "hells" now and then but yours is one I hope I never do. Be well.

Oct 22, 2017 04:43 AM
Kristin Johnston - REALTOR®
RE/MAX Platinum - Waukesha, WI
Giving Back With Each Home Sold!

I am so sorry you and so many had to go through all of this....and the wildlife :-(

Oct 22, 2017 07:19 AM
Curtis Van Carter
Better Homes & Gardens Wine Country Group - Yountville, CA
Your Napa Valley Broker Extraordinaire

thank you Kristin, Marco & Kathy cheers cvc

Oct 22, 2017 07:59 AM
Kevin J. May
Florida Supreme Realty - Hobe Sound, FL
Serving the Treasure & Paradise Coasts of Florida

Curtis, I can empathizes wit your near death experience although mine have not encompassed the "Hell" and fire you endured. When reading the word "squint" the difference became quite clear, whereas my eyes had became widely opened through my ordeals. Flames do not allow that luxury. Here via Kathy! 

Oct 22, 2017 08:40 AM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good evening Curtis Van Carter,

I'm so glad that Kathy Streib featured your post in her "Ah-ha" moments for the week. I have been out of town and trying to catch up and your post really touched me. You have been through hell and so sorry you had to go through all that you did.

Oct 23, 2017 05:32 PM
Corey Martin
Martin Presence Group - Ruston, LA
Real Estate and Management Solutions

Hardship reveals many aspects of our psychology. Sometimes one can only grow more if hardship is added to the mix. It is amazing how much one can learn about oneself through "fire", so to speak. You are in our thoughts and in our prayers over here. Stay safe and keep us updated, please.

Oct 24, 2017 05:02 PM