Some of the greatest advice I was ever given, came from my sweet Grandfather, Glade Harrison. He passed away at age 93 an lived a life filled with serving others. He said "Always look for someone to serve but do it quietly, tell no one and never expect anything in return". I love this have tried my best to follow his beautiful example.
I want to share my experiences of serving the people effected by the devastating "Camp Fire", that forever changed thousands of people's lives along with forever changing my life. A few who lived there were friends I already knew and loved, but most of them were strangers, new people who I have met, and who will forever be in my heart.
I don't share these things for recognition or praise. I share them with each of you, to help you see how unconditional love and service can change everything in your life. If you are feeling sad, lonely, depressed, anxious, unfulfilled, angry, or any other, unwanted emotion, find someone to serve.
It was and extremely windy Thursday morning, November 8th, 2018, when the deadliest fire in California history destroyed an entire community of over 26,000 people. Smaller, neighboring towns were wiped out as well. It seemed unreal, like a nightmare that no one would ever wake up from.
Gridley CA, where I live is exactly 29 miles southwest of Paradise. We have travelled there many times over the past ten years for baseball, basketball, football and parties with our friends who live there. Paradise High School has always had amazing sports teams and whenever our kids had to play them, they knew they better play their best or they were going to get beat.
The night of Nov. 8th was somber and scary. The fire had wiped out Paradise in just 6 hours and it was only a few percent contained. Over 35, 000 people had been displaced. Thousands more were evacuated and all at once, our high school gym became one of the many evacuation centers in our area.
A group of us, 4 ladies and our teenage kids, headed up to the gym around 6pm to see what we could do to help. At that time it was pretty empty. The Red Cross was there setting up cots. Cases of water were being unloaded from a truck along with food and other supplies. Other volunteers from our community were there as well. None of us knew what to do but we all just started to work.
We set up tables, unloaded supplies and sorted things into categories, not realizing what was to come during the following weeks. There were around 20 people in the actual shelter at this time. That is where I wanted to be. So I walked in and started talking with each of them. This is when I first met John.
John was a 93 year old man, small in stature, who was sitting next to a cot in his wheel chair. On the floor was white plastic bag filled with a few hygiene items and his wallet. Next to him was a tray of food and on the cot, a blanket and pillow. These were all of the worldly possessions John had. As I spoke with him he kept asking me to find his son who lived in the neighboring town of Magalia. His son and daughter in law were the only family John had and since Magalia had been evacuated as well, and he only had a home number for his son, there was no way of contacting him. I didn't know how, but I was determined to find John's son.
I met other people who I would talk to and "check on" over the course of the following weeks. A couple came in with a 6 year old boy. Another family came with 3 small children, there was an older couple named Bonnie and Chip and I met a lady named Larae who had two teenagers with her. Each of them had different stories but they had one thing on common, they were all scared and except for a few things they might have been able to grab, they had nothing.
I was at the gym until around 10:30 that first night. School had been cancelled for the next week, which turned into 3. Macie, my sweetheart 13-year-old, couldn't wait to go back the next morning and neither could I.
We got there early the next morning. It was Friday Nov. 9th, and very different than the night before. Hundreds of evacuees had arrived. It was chaos. All of the items we had organized the night before were disappearing faster than we could re-stock them. Someone would post something on facebook that we needed more pillow cases, hair brushes, underwear, socks...anything, and dozens of people in our community would show up with more donations. Clothes, shoes, coats, baby items, blankets, everything that you can imagine, just kept coming.
These people who came to the shelter were in shock. We would try to help them and comfort them but they were disoriented and confused. I can't even imagine what they went through. Most of them were crying. I heard countless stories of how they had escaped with their lives. Some didn't have shoes. Some were still wearing pajama's, since the fire had started at 6:30am the day before. I saw cars and trucks with melted bumpers and doors. It didn't seem real.
I tried so hard to be strong. I fought back tears and mustered all of the strength I had to smile and try to comfort others but there was one point that day where I had to go in the bathroom and I just sat there and sobbed.
In that moment, I had so much clarity about what really matters in life. I have so much. A comfortable home, plenty of food, clothing and luxuries that many people don't have. These people had lost everything but they all had one thing in common. Each of them said how grateful they were that they were alive and that their family was with them and they were safe.
I checked on John several times on Friday. He was becoming more upset with worry, not knowing if his son was okay. I asked him more questions and made a few phone calls. At 93 he was a little confused on some of the details but I was trying as hard as I could to help him.
Hundreds of animals were also arriving to be housed at the fair grounds next to the gym, along with people who were lucky enough to have gotten out with a camping trailer. People with pets were not allowed inside the gym and were sleeping in their cars. It really cold at night. The smoke was awful and the sun couldn't get to us much during the day. Two men from the Bay area came a week into the evacuation with as many tents and sleeping bags as they could find. They donated over 100 for the people who had to stay outside. Angels were showing up every day to help.
Macie and her friends were outside helping with the animals for weeks. I couldn't be more proud of her. Max also went with his AG teacher to rescue animals left behind in Paradise. Matt worked with our church organization on several projects and Chance came to sort and distribute clothing.
On Saturday Nov. 9th, my new friend Jessica, who was also a volenteer, came with me to talk to John. By now he was very upset and crying, pleading with us to find his son. The idea was presented that we put John's picture on facebook. We did it and within 30 minutes, his son had been found! While we waited for them to reunite, I learned that John served in WWII. He had experience with running a projector so instead of being on the front lines, he ran a movie house in Germany, for the soldiers. John loved music and was devastated that he lost all of his CD's and records. He reminded me of both of my grandpa's who have passed away. He looks like my Grandpa Alder but is small like my Grandpa Harrison. Maybe that's why I felt so connected to him. The reunion with his family is something I'll never forget.
I volunteered everyday over the course of the following weeks. I had experiences that have changed me and made me want to be a better person. I hope I made a difference for the people I met because they definitely made a huge difference in my life.
Gridley really does have angels who live here. A few of them are still helping people 2 1/2 months later. They haven't ever stopped. Crystal, Josh, Annette and Christine...you are all amazing! The generosity of people is also amazing to me. The animal feed donations that came from Utah, friends sending money to buy things for the evavuees, people giving their time, possessions, food, money, gift cards...it is so humbling to see the kindness that has been shown to the people affected by the fire. Thank you to each of you who have helped in any way. Your kindness has not gone unnoticed.
I drove through Paradise a few weeks ago. I cried the entire time and I don't think I want to go back any time soon. There is no way to describe the feeling there other than heartbreaking and somber yet sacred. People lost their lives. They lost their photo's and things that provided precious memories. They lost their homes and more than I could ever comprehend. This whole experience has made me so grateful for everything that I have. I see things differently. I feel more compassion and love for others and it has amplified the words of my Grandpa...to always look for someone to serve, quietly, without expecting anything in return. I hope you will all want to do the same.
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