6 Comments

This well documented story reminded me that the fear of devastation by fire and the eerie isolation and uncertainty caused by the pandemic were real, not just a half forgotten dream. Our community is fortunate. We are safe now but the people living on the once beautiful island of Maui must be going through pure hell.

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Aug 12, 2023Liked by Napa Valley Features

Photos capture our recent history so well!

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Aug 13, 2023Liked by Napa Valley Features

Tim, I am calmed by reading your story. I remember feeling many of the emotions you describe with words and photos but have now faded for me (thankfully). I sometimes doubt my memories of how anxiety ridden life was then. The fires on top of the covid-19 fear was sneakily traumatic for me, for all of us. Sneaky, because we dealt, we carried on, we tried to make the world feel safe for loved ones but went to bed with our phones still on, with 'to go' bags by the front door and made sure our cars had filled tanks and that we had masks to protect anyone from our potential germs. I am involved with a public community creative project in Calistoga which seeks to address or 'heal' some of the trauma of the pandemic. Calistogans are invited to paint a design on a ceramic tile using underglazes, that resonates or emotes an experience they felt during or continue to feel about the Covid-19 pandemic. (go to www.calistogaartcenter.org to find out about tile painting session dates) Those experiences are beginning to fade but they have also illuminated how precious life and health and communication, politics and community is. I don't want to forget that. Thank you for your documentation!

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author

Thank you for sharing. Important. And I look forward to seeing the mosaic. Sounds amazing.

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Aug 15, 2023Liked by Napa Valley Features

Another powerful set of words and photos. I agree that we are finding distance from the challenging feelings and experiences so many endured. The anxiety of those times has lessened, but we are reminded by the fires on Maui, and news daily of new friends who once again find themselves not only testing positive, but also getting really sick, that we still have work to do, and that we must pay attention to our lives and those of all we love.. This particular period has moved into the recent past, but we must remember that we are always vulnerable, and none of us is above being impacted by whatever lurks around the corner. SO, your words remind me that we must be patient and kind, but also, I believe we can benefit by finding ourselves grateful for the many amazing moments we experience each day. Let us celebrate all that is going well, the good people with whom we can surround ourselves, and the ongoing needs of so many fellow humans and animals. Thank you.

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author

Wonderful reminders! Thank you.

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