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My son,daughter in law and brand new granddaughter had been visiting me from out of state. They were asleep in the bedroom. I received a phone call at 6:00am on November 8th from my sister telling me about the tragedy at Borderline, I let out a cry in horror and also worrying if my niece or nephew or anyone else I might know was there. I went in the bedroom to tell my family, but my son immediately said I know as he was looking at his phone. He’s always very calm in any situation, so I was blessed to have him with me on this day and the next. We left at noon to drive thru the canyon to Malibu to escape the sadness because I didn’t want to stress my daughter in law or new granddaughter. Not knowing if I knew someone at Borderline was very difficult. We went to lunch at Neptune’s net & saw smoke in the sky coming from the north of Malibu. We weren’t worried about it until it got worse. It was 4:00pm and decided we better leave, plus I had heard about the gathering of the community at the Civic center & wanted to go. Be had to go back thru Malibu canyon instead because the fires had spread. The canyon had come to a stop. It took hours to get back to Thousand Oaks, the 101 from Malibu canyon to Thousand Oaks was stopped. I had already had bad anxiety from the horrific news from Borderline & now saw fires all around the 101 & was sitting in the back seat with my new granddaughter. I had a panic attack. I wanted to take her out of the car off the freeway and get her to safety, but it didn’t appear there was any safe place to go as it seemed the fires were all around. We finally made it home & I missed the gathering at the Civic center which I was very sad about. A few hours later we got a VC alert saying the fire was heading our way. A family member picked up my son & family and brought them out of the city while I was in denial it was happening. At 2:00 am I heard a loud speaker saying evacuate & I looked outside & I saw flames all around my house and with my 3 dogs & the help of a VC sheriff I was able to escape. You couldn’t see anything in front of you or even drive, so I followed his lights down the street & away from the flames I later found out in the news that my street was on fire & 11 neighbors lost their homes.
The next day I hadn’t been able to see my son and family & they flew back home early & almost a year later have not been back. I believe it that whole time was very traumatizing for my daughter in law.
For me, I don’t know anyone in this community as I’ve lived here only a few years. I lost my 23 year old nephew & was dealing with that, but always wished thru out this past year I had people I knew in this city that we’re experiencing the trauma I had experienced. It’s NOT good to deal with it alone. I‘ve volunteered at events at Borderline & now volunteer in other ways in the city. But I’m still experiencing horrible anxiety and great sadness & now with the anniversary approaching I just want to support everyone and be with them. It’s now my community.
I would like to say if you’re dealing with all of this alone, find someone to talk to. Your not the only one feeling this way. #TOStrong #BorderlineStrong

Anonymous