Regrouping After the Thomas Fire

I feel an indescribable need to use my leaf blower.

Close evacuations twice once out of the hood because of the smoke and my lung problems the 2nd time almost to the loony bin because of my sister relieved grateful for the responders not only for the Firefighters, police, sheriff, National guard also Christmas is on a down hill slope but it always is.

This extraordinary fire, and the Whittier fire in the spring/summer have been taxing for the entire community. When schools are let out so early it puts a strain on all the families, folks having to find housing for so long, businesses closed, the air so toxic, and on top of it all, the community festivities we all enjoy and which create community, were cancelled. We can now all appreciate being home, our returned clean air, and the enduring beauty of the Santa Barbara area; but what a year it has been!

While feeling better now, I had no Christmas spirit to wrap presents, write cards, or decorate. Just totally relieved those brave, wonderful firefighters saved so many homes. The very best Christmas present ever!

I don't understand the relationship to Wandering Aengus so please elaborate. I can say, after having evacuated 3 fires and purposefully deciding to move downtown to never have to do that again, it was stressful being under even a voluntary evacuation order, and surprising. I feel very tired after the anxiety of it all, and it seems many others are wiped out tired too, I know I've never been this tired for this long before. Finally sleeping peacefully and feeling grateful it's out, and much more relaxed. I think I now have fire PTSD.