The House That Built Me by gardenfolk

The House That Built Me

If I could just come in
I swear I'll leave
Won't take nothin'
but a memory
From the house
that built me.
...Tom Douglas/Allan Shamblin

This collage has photos of my childhood home in Pacific Palisades where I grew up and lived in the 1950's through 1980's. We will not know for sure if our home, that my father had built on a VA loan in 1948, survived until the fire is out.

Unfortunately they are still fighting the Palisades fire as it rages on to other surrounding areas that I loved. The horrific fire has now burned 22,660 acres and destroyed Pacific Palisades as I knew it. It is a devastating situation to the residents who lost their homes and entire community. So many are suffering. I have watched and listened to the personal stories and cried along with them.

I visited my home in 2012, knocked on the door, and was invited inside. I reminisced with the woman that bought the home from my father. She remembered him fondly. The home has only had two owners in its 76 years history.

The upper right photo is a postcard that shows our home between the two palm trees with the brick facade. The childhood photos were taken in the front and backyard of my home. The middle photo was taken in Palisades Park in Santa Monica when I was 22 years old. And the lower right photo shows my dad as a LAPD police officer in front of our home after it was built.

My wonderful memories are the only thing that remains.

Nice on Black.

Miranda Lambert - The House That Built Me
https://youtu.be/DQYNM6SjD_o

https://genius.com/Miranda-lambert-the-house-that-built-me-lyrics

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pacific_Palisades,_Los_Angeles



Beautiful memories. I am deeply sorry for the loss. Horrible.
January 12th, 2025  
This collage holds so many wonderful memories for you, Cathee! I just can't imagine how gutted you must feel with this devastating loss- a terrible loss for you personally and for your whole community! I am so, so sorry! xx
January 12th, 2025  
Wonderful
January 12th, 2025  
So many beautiful memories of your home and early life . So very sorry for your loss of all this and also the loss of all those that have lost all their home and possessions in this devastating fires ! Take care !xx
January 12th, 2025  
At least you have the photographic memories as well as the actual memories. It’s such a sad situation.
January 12th, 2025  
The horror of what is happening is made more poignant when it' so personal. I'm sorry for the pain you must be feeling . . .
January 12th, 2025  
What a lovely collage I do hope your childhood home has survived.
January 12th, 2025  
A beautiful and poignant collage of your memories! I pray the lovely home your father built still stands!
January 12th, 2025  
Praying for the fire to be subdued. Such horror.
January 12th, 2025  
Such a touching collage of fond memories! Praying your old home still stands, but if not, that you will find comfort in present blessings. Take care!
January 12th, 2025  
A touching collage, wish the home your dad built is still there …
January 12th, 2025  
Sweet
January 12th, 2025  
A lovely collage full of memories. So many have lost so much; hoping for relief for all soon.
January 12th, 2025  
What memories. You'll always have these even if the house didn't survive. Prayers for the family who does live in it that they are safe and perhaps their home will be there for them if they've evacuated.
January 12th, 2025  
You’ve shared so many beautiful memories of your home and early life . So very sorry for your loss of all of this. Prayers for the family who lived there and all the others affected by the devastating fires.
God bless you.
January 12th, 2025  
What a wonderful collage to illustrate your memories. So sorry
January 12th, 2025  
It is a beautiful collage filled with wonderful memories. Wishing and praying that your old home will survive.
January 12th, 2025  
Devastating times for so many and so sorry that includes you. Beautiful memory collage.
January 12th, 2025  
What a beautiful voice Miranda lambert has & such a pretty girl
A very heart warming clip for you I’m sure.

I’m so glad to have read your links… and I hope and pray that there will be some good news for you. I always swing towards positive thoughts… I’m thinking of you during this extremely difficult time. 🍀🍀🍀
January 12th, 2025  
So many memories for you - such an awful time right now - for so many people. It seems almost impossible to believe.
January 12th, 2025  
What beautiful memories you have of your childhood home. It is so devastating to hear of the horrors of those fires happening there now. My thoughts are with everyone affected by this devastation.
January 12th, 2025  
Beautiful collage and wonderful memories. I am so sorry that all you have left are memories. What is happening in LA right now is terrible.
January 12th, 2025  
A beautiful collage, hope your old home has survived. Fav 😊
January 13th, 2025  
❤️😢 A beautiful home with lots of special memories.
January 13th, 2025  
This is a wonderful collage summarizing your life in the house your Dad built. I hope this house has been spared and you'll be able to see it again.
January 14th, 2025  
A super collage of memory photos - fav! Hopefully the fire won't have taken your childhood home, but so many people have suffered such painful losses, it isn't pleasant watching what is on the news buletins.

Ian
January 14th, 2025  
@photohoot @365projectorgheatherb @joansmor @beryl @carole_sandford @jyokota @onewing @bjywamer @danette @juliedduncan @cocobella @pdulis @amyk @randystreat @dailypix @edorreandresen @ludwigsdiana @casablanca @beverley365 @robz @gilbertwood @haskar @carolmw @corinnec @fishers

I moved from the Palisades in 1982. But my parents lived in Malibu and I had friends in the surrounding area that I would visit so I did go back from time to time. I thought it would always be there so it was such a blow to my heart when this fire destroyed it. All my landmarks, my schools, my home and favorite places. It was a place I could count on...it will come back but it will never be the same. I do have my memories and I will be writing them all down to keep. Thank you for your kind words.
January 17th, 2025  
@gardenfolk a great idea to write down your memories. My family moved dozens of times. I once took my mom by all the old houses (since I didn't know some of them). I wrote down addresses, took pictures. I made a book for the family with all the information, including old photos.
January 18th, 2025  
@danette what a sweet thing to do. Once our parents are gone, their stories are gone with them. I am feeling so sad and will go through all my old pictures/l and souvenirs from the Palisades. Who knew the entire town would cease to exist?
January 19th, 2025  
Leave a Comment
Sign up for a free account or Sign in to post a comment.