36 Comments
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Bonnie Donaghy's avatar

I have no words except that I love you! It’s so tragic 😭

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Lisa Knapp's avatar

Thank you for sharing your experience and grief with us, Tara. Fires are just truly terrifying and its destruction of lives, places, everything is so fast. My heart is breaking for you and LA. Thank you for sharing resources to help as I know so many of us want to help in the best way to be the most effective. We’re holding space and love for you and hoping there’s safety and containment soon for all. ❤️💔❤️

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Nancy V. Lord's avatar

I'm so sorry. It's so much to process - I'm glad you shared this ground-zero account and reckoning with your losses, grief, regrets, and delayed gratitude for the now lost treasures. I hope being witnessed in all of it somehow helps. Sending love and a prayer for 100% containment very soon

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Tara Schuster's avatar

thank you for your kind note - it TOTALLY does help. So thank you for being the witness. I felt much calmer writing this than I had in days.

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Christina Loff's avatar

Sending so much love Tara. Stay safe. ❤️‍🩹

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Tara Schuster's avatar

Christina, my friend, thank you so much. Idk why - but seeing your name in particular made my heart warm.

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Christina Loff's avatar

🩷🩷🩷

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Tara Smith's avatar

Sending love and a huge dose of empathy, Tara. As a native San Diegan, I didn’t grow up in LA, but I certainly spent time there, and it has been devastating to see the destruction wrought by the fires on places that are so familiar and that look so much like my home. I love and miss my home state and my heart aches for you and everyone affected.

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Tara Schuster's avatar

thank you for your beautiful words

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A. Laura Brody's avatar

Sending many hugs and thanks for sharing your story. Our old neighborhood in Altadena has been decimated and the shock is real.

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Tara Schuster's avatar

I'm sorry for the shock you're going in - it's REAL. I can totally understand how you are feeling. Even if you've left a place, it's hard to contemplate it disappearing...I'm sorry for your loss too.

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Hallie Sawyer's avatar

I'm so sorry, Tara. I watched a really poignant reel this morning about how many people lost their lives, not their life, but their lives. And it was so spot on. It was from Carlos Whitaker and if I can link it here, I will. What you're writing about is in that same vein. All that you knew and experienced up until this has been your life and now so much of it is gone forever. That's so heavy to hold and I can't imagine the loss you feel. Again, I'm so, so sorry. For you and for everyone who now only has memories of what their lives once were. xo

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DEoI2DFRXJt/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

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Tara Schuster's avatar

Beautiful, thanks for sharing. Exactly - we lose our lives. I know, I know, new life is possible but damn if it doesn't feel bad to lose the old forever.

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T Lee's avatar

🫶🏻🩵 🍀

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Marcia Ruff's avatar

Thank you for sharing this perspective. It’s unimaginable to lose so much so quickly. Your words just deepen my sympathy for all the people who lose so much in the twinkling of an eye. North Carolina. Gaza. LA. It all hurts all of us.

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Tara Schuster's avatar

Thank you for being here and your words. I appreciate you to no end.

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Erin Carlson's avatar

Absolutely heartbreaking -- sending you so much love

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Tara Schuster's avatar

thank you dear, Erin

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seren riggs-davis's avatar

I am so sorry, thank you for sharing this. Praying for you and the city 🤍

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Tara Schuster's avatar

Thank you, Seren. Appreciate your prayers - I can feel them.

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Andrea Price's avatar

Thank you for writing to us and info on how we can help . I am so sorry . Prayers for all .

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Tara Schuster's avatar

Thank you for being here.

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Amber Jobe's avatar

Sending you so much love and hugs during this overwhelmingly brutal time. Even after reading this post, I still can't imagine what it must truly feel like to lose one's home so suddenly. I've never thought about grieving a place but now i do. thank you for sharing this with us. <3

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Tara Schuster's avatar

Thank you so much for your kind words and for making it safe for me to share. I was scared to say anything - like...will people think I am centering myself? But, YOU, this community always shows me that I have a place I can write with freedom and without fear. YOU make that a reality. Thank you

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Brittany Heer's avatar

Sending all my love and hugs, to you, and to all of my LA and SoCal friends. It’s devastating to watch from afar, terribly unreal. ❤️‍🩹

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Tara Schuster's avatar

thank you for being here, Brittany. You are an important part of this community and I always smile when I see your name come up :)

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Brittany Heer's avatar

Incredibly grateful to be a part of this community, thank you for making the space for us all to support one another 💗

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Regan Marie's avatar

Sending you so much love. ❤️

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Tara Schuster's avatar

I can feel it! Received!

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Miriam Goldberger's avatar

I too send my love and best most heartfelt support. I have dear family near you. Used to live and work in LA. This is all so hard. Stay safe Tara!!

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Tara Schuster's avatar

Thank you dear Miriam! And I'm sorry for your loss too. I think anyone who has lived here feels it.

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Steph's avatar

Tara, thank you for sharing a portion of your pain and grief in real time with us. We're holding space for you and holding you tight.

Ugh. My heart hurts with you. 💜

Also, thank you for the resources! I appreciate that so much.

This sounds really hard, and you can do hard things, T. We're with you.

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Tara Schuster's avatar

thank you friend - brought tears to my eyes!

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