I am alive and at my daughter's house in Chico CA.
Paradise CA as we knew it is gone. 6400 houses have burned to the
ground. My house of 19 years is one of them.
Most all the grocery stores, and the restaurants, the entire downtown, the elementary school. It is all gone.
I was separated from my wife who was driving her own car. We were
supposed to meet at my son's house but she never made it. I stayed and waited but had to leave there too when the flames came.
I found her at a church shelter and we are safe but have nothing but my truck and the clothes we are wearing.
The whole place was on fire as the smoke woke me up this morning. We had 5 minutes to leave and houses were already burning at the end of my block. Fire was everywhere as we were stuck in traffic, trying to get out.
Many people I fear are dead.

We basically have nothing left of the lives we had worked so hard to
build together. Still, we are alive and that we are grateful for.

I have had a number of friends ask me to set up this account to help get us on our feet again. I feel guilt asking, however I have smart friends,
and I listen to them.

As I have been trying to absorb my loss, I started thinking of one of my
favorite songs. I rewrote the words here to express how it feels right
now

Imagine, by John Lennon.
As rewritten for the occasion by Frank Savage.

Imagine no possessions. It's not easy no matter how hard you try.
Nothing of what once was. So far I can't cry.
Going to Goodwill for clothes tomorrow.
I'm so glad we didn't die.

Imagine going forward, with nothing but my truck and clothes on my
back. None of it seems real yet. The sky is still black.

I just wish this was over. My life as it was before. My wife and I together
living life in peace.

But when I think about I am grateful. That my wife and I are still alive.
Not so many were so lucky. Many people died.

I imagine going forward, so free in a way. No material things to weigh
me down. Life is just so much different, today.

Having nothing is freedom. No responsibilities any more. I don't even
have a suitcase. Just a spot, on the floor.

I am still happy and grateful, for what I still have. My wife and my family, and some pictures of my mom and dad.