Fred,

I am sorry for your experience. One you will not ever forget. While there are losses, the fact that you have all survived without physical injury is something to be grateful for. The emotional and financial scars take longer to heal.

While I have not experienced that particular force of nature, I survived the Northridge Earthquake and our home was heavily damaged to the point of being unlivable for over 2 years. I was just under evacuation orders for the Chatsworth/Topanga fire on Thursday.

Alison's words were well said. What helped all of us is to know that we had friends walking the same road to return to the lives we had before the event.

Thank you both for sharing your experience. May you heal quickly from the destruction and sail with us all soon.