The firestorms that ravaged California — and disasters in other parts of the country in recent years — left devastation that can take years to repair, and those who lost homes will never be able to replace family treasures.
Even as the Los Angeles fires continue to rage, and even in the few places that were spared, despair mixes with hope that the days ahead offer some positives amid the gloom, financial ruin and shattered dreams.
Writing about wine today might seem senseless, but I know many people in Northern California who lost homes and precious wines in the recent fires. And though they suffered greatly, after the shock wore off and they got their lives back together, they repaired their existences with stronger connections to family and friends.
Updated: Tue Jan 14, 2025