October 8, 2017
We were greeted by another beautiful sunrise, a bit more wind rustling the leaves and swaying the summer grasses. It was business as usual that morning until 11:00 am, when the Red Flag Warning was issued for all of the North Bay and especially for Santa Rosa.
Highly unlikely, we thought, given the nature of Fountaingrove, a community of hundreds of hillside homes with light forestation and typical development foilage. At an altitude of 875 feet with a partial view through a lightly-treed slope to the valley floor, we were confident that any fire that did erupt could be easily and quickly contained: less than six hundred yards from our home stood Santa Rosa Fire Station No.5 which had been strategically relocated from the foot of Parker Hill to the pinnacle to help assure quick response to any fire or emergency.
About 10 p.m., the smell of smoke began to appear, getting stronger as bedtime approached.
A check of the news informed us that a fire had erupted near Tubbs Road in Napa, about 27 miles to our west, and was moving quickly. There were no evacuation orders near us.
I’ll never know for sure what prompted me to decide that we needed a plan just in case we had to evacuate. In retrospect I think it was a lesson I learned in Vietnam during my one-year tour. The unexpected was always expected, and a plan to find safety quickly was a necessity, one which served me well on many occasions.
So about 10:30 p.m., Jane, Lusi (Mom’s live-in caregiver) and I got together to talk about what we would do in case we needed to evacuate. Convinced that was highly improbable, an opinion based on the distance of the fire from us and the proximity of the fire station, the plan was simple: Lusi and I would get Mom into her wheel chair and out to the car, while Jane would corral the dog Pogo and our cat Minnie. No thought was given to gathering any possessions as we felt evacuation would just be a temporary inconvenience.
We went to be bed concerned but also convinced that our urban setting would surely be spared by any fire. We never suspected that a fire that far away could reach us at all, let alone during this night.
As we drifted off to an uneasy sleep, the wind speed began to pickup whistling through bent tree tops, rattling windows and our nerves. We had high wind many times before, so it was not particularly alarming. We gave into sleep that came begrudgingly a little after 11.
I see the hand of God in many of the coincidences you describe. I’m so sorry you went through this!
Thanks, Marian. We’ll never really know. Keep your faith. It makes life’s mountains easier to climb.
Omg this is wonderful written!!! Keep writing!!! I sure miss ya’ll! It was a hard Christmas this year as I’m sure it was for you too!!! Can’t wait to see y’all again!!!! Xoxo
Thanks, Diane. I’m working on the next section. Get your butt out here!
Thanks for sharing this with us. I am in awe of the experience and your artful telling of it. We are so glad that you, Jane and Pogo are our friends and neighbors. Love does stand.
Thanks, Vince. You and Joyce have been a big part of our trek to a new normal. So glad to have you in our life.
Dear Steve Jane. It is amazing how someone how someone could live thru such a tragic experience. Yes we felt so bad losing everything you worked for all your life for. you both have been so kind and caring to everyone in need,it is amazing life is stating over again. Your LOVE for each other is what has kept you both going. Your blog is great. Writing it had be very painful. Thanks… Love. B.J.
Thanks, B.J. It was tough at times, but I feel better having gone through the process. Your love and encouragement is a gift we cherish. And we are so grateful to you for keeping Mom in your life and bringing a smile to her face with every card. L0ve you.
Dear Steve, Your blog is an outstanding first person account of what happened and how it all affected you and yours. A brilliant piece of writing. Even though I knew the details, your writing builds tension and fear. Then the profound loss of everything. I am so impressed with this piece – it brought tears to my eyes. Both Ken and I read it with awe. Thank you for sharing this piece – keep on writing and we will keep on reading. Much love, Susan and Ken
Thanks you so much, Susan and Ken. It was a struggle at times but I feel better having a record of that night. The next blog will go into some of the detail of our experience at the site, including the incredible efforts of both of you to try to salvage some remnants of our life’s work. for which we areforever grateful. We may be in CA in January… will let you know when we confirm.. Meanwhile, Happy New Year. Love from us guys in Reno.:)
Steve and Jane-this account of what you endured absolutely blows my mind. I still can’t imagine going through this, yet I know that re-living and writing about this devastation probably has helped in many ways. Thanking God for your safety and a new place now called ‘home’.
Thanks,Debbie. We’re doing good. Life goes on.
This brought tears to my eyes, slowly running down my cheeks as I kept turning the pages. Thank you for sharing such a horrific, terrifying life experience. This read was amazing…just trying to imagine the every footstep and turn and emotion is indescribable. Love you both immensely and look forward to seeing your new beginnings in Reno. Xoxo
Love you, too. Your love and that of all the Morgans is a life treasure. ❤️
Dear Jane and Steve,
If it weren’t for Jane friending me last night, I would have never read this piece. I read it aloud to Fred with many breaks for the tears and anguish I felt for you and your family’s experience. My heart aches for what you went through. And, yes, God and life has a way of putting things into perspective.
This morning, I sat at my kitchen table full of sadness and anxiety of what lay ahead after my mother’s death. Then I read your blog. Your retelling if this horrific experience helped put mine into perspective. Yes, we all need to move on with love, kindness and grace, but mostly with love. Our friends, family and loving community are instrumental in moving forward. As the saying goes, “No man is an island.”
My prayers and thoughts are with you, always.
Nancy Krahn (née Bianowicz)
Thank you Nancy. I am so sorry for your loss. I hope the many wonderful memories you have of your Mom and the love of your family and friends bring you comfort as you move ahead. There’s a poem on our website –theeckels2.us — under the “Remembering” tab which I often read when I get very down about losing my Mom. It’s about love and grief. I think you will like it. Have a health and happy New Year, filled with lots of love.
I couldn’t get theeckels2.us. Could there be a letter or number missing.
Nancy
Hi Nancy…
http://theeckels2.us/ is the link. Try it from this link. It should work. Sent from my iPad
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I don’t even know what to say after reading your accounting. I too cried feeling the terror and danger. No wonder you have nightmares. I am so thankful my dear friends survived even though scathed. Only goes to show what wonderful people you are and that you are still needed on earth. Love to you both. Ruth and Marc
Thanks Ruthie and Marc. We’re well on our way to our new life thanks to the love and support of family like you. Have a great new year as you embark on a new phase of your life. Love and hugs.
Steve, My father John Saunders sent out the link to your blog and I read and was touched by every word. Thank you so much for sharing your story. I feel like I knew your mother, wife, pets and self while I learned your harrowing yet life affirming story. I am glad for my father and Anita that you must have become their new friends.
With heartfelt wishes to you and your wife,
Catherine Saunders Hartoch in Portland, Oregon
Thank you very much, Catherine, for taking the time to read it and for your very kind comments. We continue to rebuild our lives with the help of our new friends, your Dad and Anita among the best. John and I share Veteran status and hanging out at the pool. I often see him there where we both do our respective version of water exercise. He has a great sense of humor, one I enjoy immensely. And a keen sense of the political environment. I hope you visit him and Anita in the near future. It would be great to me you in person.
Thanks again and take care.