Living Through the Flames: A Personal Reflection on the Los Angeles Wildfires

Introduction

Hey Love! These past few days have felt like a waking nightmare for many of us in Los Angeles. As I write this, the skies outside my window have mostly cleared from being thick with smoke, a dull gray blanket hiding the sunlight. The wildfires raging across Los Angeles continue to wage war on the city as they have consumed everything in their path, leaving scars on both the land and the people who call it home. It is not beyond me that I am one of the blessed and lucky ones.  

My power went out a few nights ago for a stretch of days—a small inconvenience compared to the unimaginable loss others are facing. Friends of mine have lost their homes, their cherished belongings, their sense of safety. It’s hard to find the right words when their entire lives have been reduced to ashes.

The smell of smoke lingers in the air, and with every breath, I feel a mix of communal grief, home, and compassion. Because in the midst of this chaos, there is also a strange kind of beauty—a quiet resilience rising from the heartbreak. Neighbors who barely exchanged smiles before are now offering each other food, shelter, and comfort. Strangers have become family, united by a shared pain and an unyielding hope.

I’ve spent a lot of time reflecting on what it means to lose so much so quickly. For those who are grieving the loss of homes and memories, it’s not just the physical structures that are gone—it’s the laughter that echoed through their walls, the holidays shared in their kitchens, the quiet moments of peace they once felt safe in. I know these hallmarks of grief in my own life all too well.

And yet, I see love in every act of kindness. I see strength in the eyes of firefighters battling day and night, risking everything to protect us. I see hope in the volunteers who show up with donations, warm meals, and open arms. This journey of rebuilding will be long and difficult, but I believe in the heart of this city and its people. We will heal, one step at a time, one day at a time.

To anyone reading this who is affected by the fires, know that you’re not alone. Your grief is valid, your pain is seen, and your strength is incredible. Love is still here, even amidst the ashes. We’ll rise again—together.

With love and light,

Njeri Njuhigu