My 30th birthday didn’t go as planned due to the devastating fires in Los Angeles. I had hoped to spend this time with my big sister Jessica, and had everything arranged to visit her in Mattawan Michigan. However, the fires in Pacific Palisades and Altadena turned that morning into a nightmare because we were part of the evacuee orders in La Cañada Flintridge. Despite my family’s best efforts to shield me from the news when we were in Michigan, it was impossible to ignore. It’s taken me a little while to get back in a positive mood. While it wasn’t the best way to begin my 30s, I’m staying optimistic, grateful, and feeling so lucky that my home survived, but my heart is still breaking over all those people that have lost so much! Now, I’m ready to give back and help my community recover. The one positive that I’ve found in all this devastation is witnessing the humanity and how so many have came together during these moments of crisis to help! Let’s keep on working together! We will rebuild! Thank you to my snowman and my family for their support and encouragement.