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.
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
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
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.
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.
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. 🍀🍀🍀
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.
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.
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.
@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.
@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
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God bless you.
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. 🍀🍀🍀
Ian
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.