How Life Got In The Way, Part 3: Fire And Loss

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Thomas Fire[box]This post about the Thomas Fire is part of my series called “How Life Got In The Way,” which is about what has happened during my year-long “hiatus” from writing for the Orange County Moms Blog. If you haven’t read the first or second posts yet, click here and here to get caught up![/box]

It was rough for California in 2017. So. Many. Fires. Anaheim Hills. LA. Ventura. Napa. Sonoma. Just to name a few. So much loss. The Anaheim Hills fire shook us, but the Thomas Fire affected us immensely.

A dear friend was one of the first to lose her home in rural Santa Paula that her husband built with his own hands. This, in and of itself is tragic enough. Yet, three months prior, she also lost that very husband, and father to their two children, to a rare form of germ cell cancer. He was one of the good ones. One of those people you meet, perhaps only once, but they leave an impression on you for life. He was kind. Wickedly smart. Adventurous. Caring. Intense, but also gentle. Silly. Handy. Insanely funny. Vivacious. So real and unpretentious—what you saw was what you got. All who knew him cannot believe that he-of all people-is gone…. To cancer, no less.

It’s incomprehensible.

He left behind a truly remarkable woman and two adorable girls. She lost her husband. She lost her home. Nearly all physical traces of him were lost in the Thomas Fire. Virtually everything she possessed was burned and lost.

I called upon the community to help my dear friend and her girls—and you responded. With your help, I was able to raise $3,000 in cash and gift cards as well as an overwhelming amount of clothing, housewares, and gear for the kids.

I cannot convey my appreciation enough to those who pitched in.

I am so proud to live in such a wonderful, giving community. She was so humbled and overcome with gratitude for all that was passed her way. What she couldn’t use, or received too much of, she then re-donated to others in need. I am happy to report that 2018 is looking to be a better year. Our friend has found a beautiful new home for her girls. She’s moving along. It’s tough, but she’s tougher. I am astounded by her fortitude every day.

 

Stay tuned for Part 4 of my How Life Got In The Way post series. To be continued….

 

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Heather Goodsir
I grew up in Placentia and have lived in Orange County my entire life. I met my husband at a bar in Downtown Fullerton 10 years ago. He is also is an Orange County native, from Anaheim Hills. We were married in 2013 in Puerto Vallarta, in the smallest ceremony possible--ourselves, the photographer and the officiant. Our first son was born in 2014 and our (identical) twin boys were born in 2015. So yes, you are reading that correctly; we have 3 boys born 15 months apart. Life is crazy. I love it, but it's crazy. As such, I am a stay at home mommy and attempt to keep my sanity, keep my house clean, get healthy food on the table (most days!) and try to be the best mommy possible to my crazy, silly, rambunctious boys. Prior to having my kiddos, I was an avid yogi and enjoyed traveling. I try to work in as much reading, baking, cooking and crafty/creative projects as possible--which isn't much these days, but it's improving. I love a good debate, dinner parties, and spending time with friends and family. If music is on, chances are I'm singing and/or dancing. I love getting my hands dirty with projects around the house and hope to have a '58 Corvette and a '66 Nova in my garage someday. Oh, and I really love sleep and showers. Neither of which, it turns out, are compatible with motherhood. C'est la vie!