One never knows, not the hour nor the day, when the life you know might be taken from you in an instant.

We work hard to create and maintain a baseline of stability, predictability, and comfort.

War on American soil, not likely; Gaza, Sudan, Ukraine, millions suffering violence and bleak, hopeless living conditions, so difficult, tragic, miserable to the extreme.

But natural disaster – hurricane, flood, or wildfire, yes. WILDFIRE, YES.

Judson Jones, a meteorologist and reporter for the NYT captures the moment perfectly,

“As a fire ignited in the Pacific Palisades on Tuesday, the winds crashed over and through the mountains like white water rapids. Winds as strong as those in a hurricane propelled the flames through dense urban neighborhoods, and swirling fire whirls danced from home to home, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake.”

Instant devastation; everything lost; only your hearts and heads to remember.

As of this writing fires far from contained.