As we approach the end of summer, I hope you’ve had moments of rest, joy, and connection with the people you love.

Life has a way of bringing both the changes we prepare for and the ones we never see coming. It’s hard to believe it’s been eight months since the Palisades and Eaton fires turned so many lives upside down. That experience is a stark reminder of how quickly life can shift—and how deeply those changes can affect our homes, families, communities, and sense of security. In the face of such sudden and profound loss, moving forward requires not only making quick practical decisions, but also acceptance, resilience and hope.

One of our dear clients, who lost their home in the fire, recently shared some heartfelt reflections on their journey. Their words are a reminder that even in times of heartbreak, there can be space for gratitude, renewal, and a clearer sense of what truly matters.

With our client’s blessing, I share their story with you—hoping it brings encouragement and light to anyone navigating life’s transitions.

Sincerely,

We did not hear the shattering of glass, the art frames breaking into splinters with nails embedded in the ground. We did not hear the roaring wind or see the embers powered by the monstrous gusts igniting home after home.

We woke to the shattering of home, hearth and heart in a swath of speedy destruction. The days following were filled with vacuums of numbness and disbelief.

As the days rolled together, we clung to the very simple parts of life: the ability to breathe; the availability of food; a roof over our heads and the accessibility of communication. But between the brief moments of gratitude, large gaps of grief, loss and anger arose; the sharp edges cutting into our minds and hearts.

Continuous doom scrolling took over and despite this mindless activity, a video flew into my algorithm talking about the Art of Kintsugi – the process of repairing an object with infused adhesive and overlaying the repair with a metal, typically in gold or silver.  The result was a shattered piece gaining the tracings of each break and creating a piece of even greater value with a visible and proud history of wholeness. These metallic repairs softened and coalesced the edges of each shattered fragment.

I questioned whether the pieces of our trauma and the rapid changes we were undergoing and without much comprehension could the physiological, physical and spiritual fragments and shatters that could be altered and even celebrated? Repair grief and loss with joy and with gratitude? Could regretting become fond remembering? Would memories be gently washed from triggers to glimmers?

As I decided to commit to this soul restoration with the bare slithers of remaining hope, the practice each day of slowly infusing each “piece” to another; and watching as life began to take shape, poured the foundation of resilience within me.

The ongoing results of this repair work we unexpectedly remarkable.

“We” became so much more than just partners and we grew larger together. Our circle of friends became smaller but closer. The word “sentimental” conjured up trips and adventures rather than “things.” Less was clearly more in the long run. Time in the spaces of joy, kindness (both given and received), good health, physical mobility and restful sleep were choices to be held as precious. Acceptance produced freedom to move towards knowing the fullness of enough.

There will always be moments of grief, loss, anger, rage, and despair. But in the meantime, we are creating beautiful displays of strength, vulnerability and formidable individuals determined to love each minute of time. We nourish each other and those we love with attention to keeping hope in small actions of kindness and care.

We are simply, abundantly grateful.

-Lee