When Wildfire Takes Everything But What Matters Most

Finding Light After Losing Home and Community to California Fires

My family lost everything in the California wildfires.

Our home.

Our belongings.

Our entire neighborhood.

But not each other.

My wife and kids are safe.

We're here.

The Last Normal Day

When the evacuation notice came,

I packed like we'd be back tomorrow:

One large suitcase.

A backpack.

The kid’s favorite snacks.

What Nobody Tells You

You beat yourself up about what you left.

What was right to take?

What was wrong to leave?

How do you even decide?

The Hard Part

Telling our kids they lost their home

Was the hardest thing I've ever done.

But watching their resilience?

That's teaching me something.

The Strange Moments

Finding dark humor in my father getting cremated twice.

The jolt of capitalism when the contact lens company asked for my credit card.

Walking around Target like a zombie getting new clothes for the kids.

Being the guy in the gym working out in jeans.

My children seeing me cry for the second time.

What Remains

We lost our home.

Our neighborhood.

Our kids' school.

Their dance and karate studio.

The local library.

Our life as we knew it.

But we're here.

You're here.

Your Move

We live in the future we build.

One day at a time.

-Antonio

P.S. A lot of people have asked how they can help. Thankfully we’re safe and we everything we need for now. If you'd like to support my work, you can purchase my books. Take it one day at time with me with The 1-Day Planner. Soon, I’ll announce a new project I’m excited to share with you.