I have never felt helplessness as much as I have felt this last week. *long caption, bear with my emotional self* When I woke up in Malibu last Thursday to the news of the shooting at the college night at Borderline, a country line dancing bar I used to frequent often as a student on college night, the looming helplessness of such a close-to-home tragedy manifested as a sickness in my stomach. How easily could that have been me and my friends in 2012? As I woke up the very next day to the news of total evacuation of Malibu, my home on and off for the last 8 years, I could do nothing but watch on my phone screen the flames jump over the ridges and head towards my family, my friends and a campus and town that I consider my favorite in the world. Countless webpage refreshes and newscasts later over the next 7 days, I finally was able to return to Malibu as the roads were opened up to residents today. Having hiked the scorched mountain side, toured around to see the burnt cars and melted bicycles and scooters, I’m eternally grateful that even in my human helplessness, I’m met with the divine help of the Lord. I’m back with family and now I find myself sitting in the living room petting Otis who is laying beside me, listening to the little bro write a song on guitar. I’m in pure gratitude...my happy place. I’m lucky to have this narrative as so many people have lost family members and homes. And to sweet Alaina and the other victims of the Borderline shooting, your memory will not be another thing this fire takes from us. ♥️ (and thank you to every one of you that called or texted to check in) This picture was taken November 16th, 2018, one week after the Woolsey Fire started.