by Dr Rahim Said
There is nothing more heart-wrenching than leaving a place knowing your loved ones might be in danger. This was the daunting reality we faced on January 7 as we prepared to board a flight from Los Angeles to Hong Kong.
The day began with a wildfire alert in Pacific Palisades, quickly followed by a wild wind warning at LAX. The gusts were so fierce we feared flight cancellations, but our departure remained on schedule.
However, as we settled into our seats, the pilot informed us of yet another complication — a power failure at the airport had delayed luggage loading. For more than two hours, we sat aboard the plane, anxiously waiting, our thoughts consumed by the chaos unfolding on the ground.
Meanwhile, our son, staying temporarily with friends in Silverlake, California before moving to his college accommodations on Hollywood Boulevard, received a red alert notice for fire evacuation.
The wildfire, relentless and unpredictable, forced not only Silverlake residents into a state of high alert but also his prospective neighbours near Hollywood Boulevard. His college friends scattered, seeking refuge with families in Long Beach.
By the time we landed in Hong Kong, 16 hours later, we were relieved to learn that Silverlake had escaped the worst of the fire, and our son was safe.
Still, the fallout was evident — poor air quality, diminished visibility, and empty grocery store shelves as residents braced for further disaster. We prayed for our son’s continued safety and for those affected by the inferno.
Back in California, the news painted a grim picture: an unprecedented wildfire claiming lives and destroying thousands of homes. The sheer scale of the tragedy was a sobering reminder of nature’s fury and humanity’s vulnerability.
The moral of the story is this: life’s unpredictability humbles us. While we cannot control the chaos around us, we can prepare, stay vigilant, and extend compassion to those in need.
As parents, our greatest hope is for safety, but our greatest responsibility is to nurture resilience in the face of life’s many uncertainties.
WE