Creek Fire gratitude: Letters to the editor, Sept. 10, 2020

Fire crisis and their dear cat reunion

The Creek Fire has brought out the best in humanity. We have been showered with love support and assistance from so many people.

Law enforcement officers and first responders are being maligned so much in the news that we forget how selfless they are in times of crisis. We had a very sweet experience with police who were tasked with evacuating our road. They were from the Kerman Police Department (not even in our jurisdiction). We had indicated when we were evacuated that we had not been able to find our three cats. They are very loved and apart of our home and well-being.

After we had left our home we were told that we could not return without being arrested for looting. Saddened to leave our cats behind. About 20 minutes after we left my wife Gail got a call from one of the police officers, saying that he had found one of our cats and was bringing her to us. He went out of his way to deliver a cat and some much needed compassion at a very traumatic time in our lives.

Bravo to police and first responders everywhere!

Thanks to the firefighters

We moved to Meadow Lakes, Fresno County, California around 1962. I was 5 years old. My parents realized that raising seven children needed lots of fresh air and the great outdoors, if for their sanity alone. This is exactly what the tall pines and fresh air of Meadow Lakes offered.

All children attended the local schools of Pine Ridge, Auberry Union Elementary and Sierra Joint Union High School. As we children grew, we found ourselves treading through the snow to the bus stop and yes, about a mile, but we could not be happier in this wonderful mountain playground. Sledding, swimming, fishing and hiking were just a few of the favorite things to do. Working every summer with Lynn Merriman at the Meadow Lakes Apple stand, we picked apples by horseback. The best summers ever.

All these wonderful memories are very much alive now as I pray all are safe in this current Creek Fire. A mountain of memories comes flooding down. Please be safe, mountain home. Thank you, firefighters, and all who are working to save our precious mountains.

xxyxyxy

This story was originally published September 10, 2020 at 6:00 AM with the headline "Creek Fire gratitude: Letters to the editor, Sept. 10, 2020."