Paradise Lost

My Grammy waving to my sister and I as we drove down the lane leading away from her house in Paradise back in 2009. 

My mom, my Uncle Russ, and my Grammy having fun in my Grammy’s house in Paradise. 

If we only knew what the future would hold. 

What is left of our memories. 

My name is Nicole Seymour and I am the granddaughter and niece of two amazing Camp Fire survivors.  I live in Sacramento, CA , just close enough to provide comfort to my loved ones who have been affected by the Camp Fire. The tragedy that struck Paradise, CA on November 8, 2018 is not one that will be easily forgotten by the nearly 27,000 residents of the small town or of those in the surrounding areas. The fire has all but decimated the entire city, destroying nearly every home and business and claiming the lives of many who were unable to escape its flames. My grandmother and uncle fled their homes early that morning after receiving a daunting evacuation message on my grandmother's phone. She grabbed her dog and car keys and raced down the road to inform my uncle that they needed to go. NOW. I am thankful that they didn't stop to think about what they were leaving behind. I am grateful that they jumped into their cars and immediately began driving through the flames and smoke to get to safety. Thank God they left everything behind and simply got out. It is one of the reasons they are still here. 

I know my uncle and grandmother are among the lucky ones. They survived. They are alive. They have family to stay with for the time being. But what have they lost? The Cal Fire website has confirmed that both of their homes have been destroyed. Everything they own has been burned down to ash. They have no homes to return to, no clothes, no shoes, no blankets, no food, and very little hope. My 89 year-old grandmother has decided not to rebuild her Paradise home and to instead find somewhere to enjoy what time she has left here with her family close by. My uncle, a disabled veteran of the Vietnam War, is staying with my mother for the time being, but worries that he will never again be able to have a home to call his own. He and his dog, Miley, only have each other now. We are reaching out to see if there is anyone out there who is willing to donate money to help my uncle rebuild his life. He knows he cannot afford to rebuild his home in Paradise, but he is hoping to get enough to put a downpayment on or to purchase a nice trailer so he can take his home with him everywhere he goes. Your donation, however much you can contribute, would mean the world to all of us. Paradise may be lost, but our hope is not. Please consider donating to help my uncle (and of course, Miley). Once we have raised the money to help support my uncle’s cause, I will see to it that he is given every penny to get his trailer so that he and Miley can begin their new life together. 

Please help my uncle and Miley!