I feel so bad for the people who lost their homes due to the fire in California, and I can't imagine what it must feel like to have everything that was a part of your life gone. Still they made it out alive.
2007-10-23 14:27:58 · 17 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Senior Citizens
yes. my mom's family(the crazy mental side)lived in homestead florida for generations, until hurricane andrew hit.
we lived a little north of there, and dodged the bullet - but we couldn't reach anyone by phone, and there were no news reports from the area... that was so scary, so many people just suddenly NOT REACHABLE,when we got together our little caravan of trucks loaded down with supplies, and drove down,I remember going over an overpass on the turnpike and suddenly seeing what looked like a war zone, as far as the eye could see. I KNEW that place from my childhood on, but I didn't see anything I recognized.
when we finally picked our way into town, and found our relatives, they were already busy rescuing others, and we joined in and were busy for a while. most of the people I saw looked shellshocked.
anyway, I always refer back to this memory when I see something like katrina or these fires, and yes I sure do put myself in their place. there is nothing like having your world obliterated by random nature.there's not even anyone you can be mad at...and you lose your sense of place because your "place" is unrecognizable. it takes a LONG time to feel safe again.
I am saying prayers for those folks, and for the firefighters who try so hard to help.
2007-10-24 02:35:15 · answer #1 · answered by min 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it feels awful to loose your home, but it is just a material thing that can be rebuilt again. Saving the family becomes paramount!!!!. I morn the loss of the trees and brush that was destroyed, and any animals within. Now with winter setting in they are in for mudslides, if the rain ever comes their way, Another problem they may have to contend with. Many of those families have second or vacation homes in the area. But many people have lost all their possessions. What do you grab when you only have 5 minutes to get out? Then you come back and find you have absolutely "nothing" left. I pray for those FIREFIGHTERS running on adrenaline with lack of sleep and bravery beyond comprehension. I feel for them in having to watch a house going up in flames and there is nothing they can do about it. It is sad to watch the elderly having to cope with these conditions, and some having to be moved from their homes, or losing all they have worked their whole lives for. For some it is too late to start all over. Lets hope they have a quick end to this situation and Pray for all involved.
2007-10-24 08:14:27 · answer #2 · answered by Moe 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
When my girlfriend lost everything in Katrina, I could only imagine the devastation she was going through. At one point there were eight people in a one bedroom apartment: My friend, her son, her two special brothers, her mother, her 16 year old pregnant cousin and boyfriend, and her girlfriend.
My friend was the only one capable of working. She just about went crazy because she had no clothes for a job interview (law office) in a different city. I collected boxes and boxes of clothes, toys, blankets and kitchen gadgets for her and her son.
I mailed them myself with my own money. I didn't even think of the cost. All I wanted to do was help my friend and her family. I could NEVER imagine what she went through. She lost her first house and everything in it.
She cried about the special Christmas ornament's that people made for her, a pillow I gave her on her 40th birthday, a black angel doll that I made special for her was gone. Not to mention her sons birth and all his photos, and photos of her friends. I copied all the photos I had with her and her friends in them and put them on a CD for her. She had to find a computer to view them on, though.
Now I have two cousins down in Southern California. I know that they are physically OK, but what about the emotional trauma that they are both going to go through? I will be there for them, too. And my husband, and my mother, and myself (if I have any energy left over)!
Yes, I do put myself in other people positions all the time. Even with smaller problems, I try to understand
2007-10-24 12:02:42 · answer #3 · answered by Granny 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
All the time, especially if I catch myself being critical.
The fires have to be terrifying. I remember once in NJ the neighbor's house, across the street, was on fire. All we could do was stand outside with garden hoses and keep our roof wet. It was a mixed feeling of sorrow for the neighbor, and outright fear for our own home. Pray for those in California.
2007-10-24 01:12:03 · answer #4 · answered by Lady G 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't mean to sound cold, but the government has already pledged to rebuild these homes. There are still people who lost everythin in "Katrina" who are still not back on their feet. Is it because the people in New Orleans & Mississippi were poor & black & the people in Malibu are white & rich? (in general).
I lost everything when I had to flee an abusive marriage. I worked all my life & all I have to show for it are 2 meager checks. Sorry for sounding so bitter, but life isn't fair. Sometimes I let it get to me.
2007-10-24 00:35:31 · answer #5 · answered by shermynewstart 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
All the time , it's called empathy and compassion.
My mum used to say to me , if I pulled the dog's tail when I was little how would you feel if Major , grabbed your arm or leg and pulled on it?
Or when she was reading a fairy tale she 'd ask how do you think Peter Rabbit felt or Snow White or whomever. Taught me to think with empathy very early on.
Cousins are in California but they're fine for the moment. I get sad for people in any kind of a disaster anywhere.
2007-10-23 16:13:55 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
Yes, I do that all the time, not just with people but with animals, too. That's why it's so hard for me to watch the news and those shows on Animal Planet about people who abuse their pets. That is awful about the fires in California, that must be devastating!
2007-10-23 15:19:08 · answer #7 · answered by Starscape 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Yes, my mom and I were talking about the fires today and how hard it would be to just take what you could carry and have to leave everything behind. I'm so glad they were able to get themselves out at least. There are so many terrible things happening to people everyday and it makes me stop and realize it could be me in that situation. I always try to be compassionate to others, I never know what they may be going through in their lives.
2007-10-23 14:51:13 · answer #8 · answered by luvspbr2 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes, I feel empathy many times and I certainly can relate to the destruction a fire can do! To lose all your momentos and so many other items which cannot be replaced! I just pray with all my heart, that the death toll, stays very low! Most things can be replaced but, a persons life cannot.
2007-10-23 17:59:50 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
I have a sister and two nieces in San Diego. They have been evacuated. As horrible as this is, they are grateful that they had the time to gather important pictures and documents but frightened at what they may find when they get home. It's nice to be reading about empathetic people.
2007-10-23 14:41:32 · answer #10 · answered by katydid 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋