I don't know where I should begin this story but I think at 3:15 am this past Tuesday (Manila time) would be as good a point as any, when my phone rang and without warning threw my heart into the grip of a tight chokehold. Nothing good is ever afoot when one is awakened by a call at such an ungodly hour after all.
"Your area is being evacuated right now because of the fire," my co-worker announced -- and then she promptly apologized for calling at such a bad time. I was tempted to laugh: is there ever a good time to be told that your house might soon be burned to the ground, especially when you're not around to try to save anything you deem important or valuable that's still in it?
The next half hour is still a blur in my memory. I phoned my sister-in-law at work and asked her to get my cat Boo out of the house. Then I spoke to my husband (who was also out of town and not home to take care of things); we agreed he would ask his two siblings to meet at our home to rescue Boo and take her to the local animal hospital for boarding. My phone rang nonstop after that: my brother-in-law had to beg the cops to let him through and the hospital was being evacuated as well and could not take my cat.
To make this long, torturous tale short -- my in-laws came through for us.
But there was still our house with everything we own and love inside of it, and a fire headed straight for us. This was when I took my first long intake of breath and decided there was nothing I could do; this situation was truly beyond my control. I told myself that perhaps it was better that I was safe, secure, and comfortable thousands of miles away instead of wildly searching for a temporary roof over my head as a fire raged on and smoke, soot, and ash burned my eyes and lungs. If I couldn't stay home and try to save it, then was there a difference where I was? And because I was traveling (and had slightly overpacked) I had two suitcases of clothes, shoes, and toiletries -- enough to last for at least a few weeks in case I lost everything.
This morning I returned home and I immediately saw how close the fire got; it's just right beyond the fence. The moment I saw it I choked up and could barely breathe (although that could also have been because of all the ash and soot that still covers everything about me). The fire isn't over yet, and I was told by the sheriff's office that my area is still recommended for voluntary evacuation. But at least it looks like I have time to take another breath and decide what to do next.
But, man, it hurts to breathe right now.
I am so sorry to know this, Gigi. I've been closely following the fire, wondering who among my relatives, HS and college classmates and friends, have been affected and I never thought one of them would be you.
I pray that you (and everybody else, including Boo) will be safe.
Posted by: bugsybee | October 25, 2007 at 06:11 PM
Bugsy - Thank you, thank you for all your thoughts and concern! I have to say, I consider myself lucky compared to all those many people who have already lost their homes or are sleeping in a stadium or local high school gym floor and don't know either way. But until I hear that we're completely out of the woods, I'm not thanking my lucky starts yet!
Posted by: Gigi | October 25, 2007 at 07:57 PM
hey KB. i am glad to find out that your home is safe. i was really worried especially when you called up.
it seems that the wind has died down and the fire is going further southeast away from you.
you got struck nearer than us. i was surveying the area this afternoon and i could see the fireline right trough your home to our office all the way down to or condo in irvine.
i found out today that one of my colleagues lost his home and a lot more are jittery because all of us live in the path of the fire.
ingat.
jay
PS - if you need help, give us a call. i am in town already and could drive up to your place anytime.
Posted by: BatJay, Ang Dating Hippopotamus | October 25, 2007 at 09:48 PM
Praying for you Gi, I never realized you were that close to the fire. I think it's even more disturbing to think that the fire near you was caused by arson. My relatives homes in San Diego are so far safe, but they all have a long wait ahead of them still. And a friend of my Mom's lives in Poway, have no clue how to reach her.
Posted by: Anna | October 26, 2007 at 10:00 AM
Hi G, We just got out of church when the fire near you started. It was insane! We could see an enormous billowing cloud of black smoke and a few bright red flames. I kept thinking that it was a good thing you weren't home. I'm glad to hear that nothing happened to your home and that you, Arnel and Boo are safe.
Let me know if you need anything!
Posted by: Julianne | October 26, 2007 at 09:08 PM
Oh Gigi thank God that you were spared. I never realized til reading this how close you were to it all!
Posted by: Cathy | October 28, 2007 at 06:56 AM
That was close, Gigi. Funny, I was thinking of you when I saw the news on CNN.
Hope and pray everything will be back to normal. God bless.
Posted by: Jayred | October 28, 2007 at 09:43 AM
KB - Thanks for being such a great neighbor -- even if you're not so nearby anymore (uhu uhu uhu!). Hearing your voice during those scary moments really gave me comfort and assurance.
Anna - I hope you've been able to reach all your family and friends who were affected, and that they're all OK. Thanks!
Julianne - I still get a shiver when I see the scorched earth right outside my door! When am I seeing you? Are you staying indoors like I've been for now?
Cathy - Oo nga, how surreal (esp. if you're trying to find out what's happening when you're thousands of miles away!).
Jayred - Thank you so much for thinking of me!
Posted by: Gigi | October 28, 2007 at 11:35 AM