It’s the one-year anniversary of the Corral Fire. As we reflect on this terrible tragedy that affected our community, may we also reflect on the positives that this experience has brought to us?
Although the year has been tough during the rebuilding process, both of lives and homes, after one year and many man-hours of time, we do see new growth in the neighborhoods affected by the October/November 2007 firestorms.
We see new houses, new lives, new opportunities, new tolerances, new knowledge and new relationships, new expectations and new goals. Many of us have bonded and become not just neighbors, but friends. We have met people that we hadn’t known, albeit some of those lived right next door. We have developed new ways of doing things, perhaps, we have a family plan for handling emergencies, and some communities have fire safe council’s which are outcomes of this tragedy.
Many are still dealing with the tragedy and there is still grief, anger and fear. But, as we connected in the Operation Recovery 2007 group meetings, those connections and relationships have strengthened most of us. It’s pretty amazing what’s happening in the wake of such losses.
Take a moment and look how we have changed from this tragedy. Some of us have developed better problem-solving skills, patience has developed, and resiliency is a quality that will serve all of us overtime. But even being resilient doesn’t make someone immune from the emotional highs and lows that have accompanied this tragedy. I believe a spirit has developed in each of us as we are all now survivors of the 2007 Malibu fires.
How each of us has learned to adapt to tragedy is a valuable life lesson. During tragic times, we often have opportunities to discover things about ourselves such as our strengths and abilities. As we close this anniversary day and reflect on our experiences one year ago, and on those challenges and hurdles that were accomplished in this past year, I encourage each of you to think about your individual internal powers and how this experience may have better prepared each of you for the future challenges we all find in this place called life.
My sincerest thoughts to each of you who lost your home, possessions and peace in 2007, many of whom have impacted my life in various degrees during 2008. My wish for each of you is a home that bears the plaque that adorns my own home, “La casa de la nueva vida!” The House of New Life!
Beverly Taki
Chairman Operation Recovery 2007