This day has come

When I went to sleep last night, I didn't think that nearly 12 hours later, I would be fleeing our home with our two kids.

The fire has started to burn somewhere 1 1/2 hours away from us in the beginning. As another day has started out normal, I was thinking more about how fast time flew; it felt like it was just yesterday we picked up my in-laws from the airport, it was time for them to leave already.

Morning came and went by. The images on our not-so-clear TV were not getting any better from the devastation I saw of the fires burning throughout Southern California. The sky outside our windows was brown, the air that seeped in our little condo was unbearable. A part of me did not want to think about the possibility of leaving. Yet, another part was telling me it was time to pack.

It was around 2pm in the afternoon. Caleb slept so comfortably on his bed, as I began to lose my composure. I started thinking about our simple yet fulfilling life; it would be too heartbreaking to leave our nothing yet everything behind. As I continue to watch the news, I also started putting clothes in a carry-on bag.

What to bring? If I began to think about all the "maybe-I-should-brings," I would not be able to leave. I never thought in my lifetime, I would have to decide what are the most important things to me--in 10 minutes or less. Still absent-minded, I put away Caleb's blankie, diapers, his milk, Abby's clothes for 2 days, and our important documents.

Driving to my dad's house in our Explorer, I still could not believe we were actually "fleeing." But as I regained my ability to reason, I realized inside the car at this moment, my life and everything are present--my husband, my two kids, and some junk we packed up. And then there is my Hope, high up in heaven. I know even if we have lost everything in our little condo, I would not lose my hope.

At this moment, I have no idea how bad the fires could get--the last time I heard, a few neighborhoods just 5 miles away were being evacuated. By tomorrow night, I could really be back on our big bed, or I could be looking for a place to live. Either way, I am very thankful at this moment that I am sitting in my sister's room, using her computer.

As the fires continue to burn here, I am learning that I should be counting my blessings. At least my two children are safe and sound here, not too far away from our home, in their papa's house.