Journaling Through Recovery & Reflection | 30 Days After the Eaton Canyon Fire

12 min readFeb 14, 2025

Day 1 | January 7, 2025

It sounds like The Wizard of Oz outside.

My mom and I evacuated. We’re safe. It’s been heartbreaking seeing the images coming out of Altadena/Pasadena. As long as I have lived here, I’ve never seen the fires and evacuations get so far down the mountain.

Wishing everyone safety. Respect to the firefighters.

Day 2 | January 8, 2025

I haven’t slept.

Last night looked and felt like the apocalypse. All I can say right now is Thank God for community.

Neighbors in apartment complexes and homes stepped up, encouraging one another to evacuate sooner rather than later, and doing everything they could to support each other. Firefighters and first responders are doing their best to be everywhere they are called.

People’s health is in jeopardy. Lives, schools, and local businesses were lost. Family homes were destroyed. The decades and money everyone has put into owning their homes. This reality is so sad. What a collective nightmare we’re trying to take in, process, and support each other through.

Pasadena/Altadena (Dena) has always been a special place, from the beauty you experience through our city to the hearts of the people who call this city home. Damn.

Thank you to everyone.

Day 3 | January 9, 2025

Beneath anger is grief.

While many are focusing on their communities, I want to take a moment to reflect on the roots of mine.

As housing restrictions and redlining eased, Black families began moving to Altadena. By the 1960s, it became known as an ethnically diverse and inclusive community, with a significant Black population planting roots. Altadena’s inclusivity and cultural contributions have played a role in Los Angeles County’s history.

Now, Altadena has been leveled.

Three days have passed, and the fires remain 0% contained. Live news coverage (I’ve watched a lot of replays) focuses on more affluent neighborhoods in greater Los Angeles.

I’ve watched empty hydrants in front of burning homes in Altadena.

My elementary and middle school are gone. Historic buildings that stood for over a century are gone. Homes that grandparents worked tirelessly to own and pass down are leveled. Reports describe Altadena and Pasadena as looking like a “war zone.”

Lincoln Avenue Water Company has issued an unsafe water alert, warning residents not to use tap water for drinking, bathing, or anything else.

Before the talking points focus on rebuilding, let’s give people space to process this moment, their next steps, and the long road ahead. This is only the beginning…

Day 8 | January 14, 2025

📌 Join us for an intentional online journaling workshop. Please help spread the word about this Sunday’s online journaling workshop on 1.19.25. 100% of the proceeds will go to families who lost their homes in the Eaton Canyon fires.

Journaling in community reminds us to care for ourselves, connect with each other, and know we are not alone. Journaling is a powerful tool for coping, processing, and connecting. This workshop is an opportunity to come together and support those who need it most.

Black and Brown communities received less news coverage and fewer resources in the critical first days of the Eaton fires. As a community, we’re doing everything we can with what we have to support our city and each other.

100% of the proceeds from this event will be evenly distributed across families listed below with their permission. Funds will be delivered within ~7 business days following the event. You can also donate directly to their GoFundMe links. Families included:

The Ramos-Sanavio family

The Smith family

The Syms family

The Whitley family

Additionally, you can donate directly to families and businesses in need here and here.

Workshop Summary: This month’s theme is Vision, Intention, and Community Healing. Whether new to journaling or deepening an existing practice, you’ll leave feeling grounded, inspired, and connected. Let’s continue to create change through words and action. You’re welcome to keep your camera on or off and choose whether to share your writing or keep it private during the workshop.

🗓 Date: Sunday, January 19, 2025 (After you register, mark it on your calendar)

⏰ Time: 9:00–10:00 a.m. PST

💻 Location: Online

✍🏽 What to bring? Got a journal? Bring something to write on and something to write with.

☕️ Optional: Bring your favorite beverage.

📚 Special Giveaway: Register now to win a journal of your choice. Attendance is required to claim your prize.

🛑 Registration Deadline: Saturday, January 18, 2025, at 10 p.m. PST. Secure your spot today.

Unable to attend? You can still contribute and stay informed about future workshops by signing up for email updates at MonaKhalil.com.

I can’t believe today marks a week since this all began. And weather-wise, we won’t be in the clear until the end of the week.

There are no perfect words and no ideal approach to supporting so many families in need. For me, journaling has always been a grounding practice to cope, process, and connect. It’s a simple yet powerful tool. All you need is something to write with and something to write on. In moments like these, it becomes even more valuable. Whether you’ve been directly or indirectly affected by the fires, or know someone who has, journaling is a gift to yourself and others.

The families I’ve highlighted in my upcoming January journaling workshop aren’t meant to overshadow others in need. These families graciously permitted me to share their needs on short notice. I felt this could be a meaningful way to address the pressing need. Please see this as a vessel of love and intention, not a final solution.

I’ll keep the form open and revisit it for upcoming monthly workshops if more families are interested in being included. I’m committed to donating the proceeds from these workshops to support our community and amplify awareness of GoFundMe links.

The devastation we’re experiencing as a community goes beyond words. Thank you to everyone who is making magic happen. I’m grateful to have been raised in Dena and to call it home once again🌹

Day 9 | January 15, 2025

I returned to work today, seeking a sense of normalcy amidst the chaos. My clients have been incredibly considerate and flexible. Still, I felt the need to regain a sense of stability by returning to something familiar, primarily because my work focuses on supporting others in navigating their worlds.

Right now, many of us continue to be operating in fight-or-flight mode. I have immense admiration for those who immediately jumped into action. For me, my focus was on making sure my mom was safe and had everything she needed. When we evacuated on Tuesday, fires were just blocks away from our places in different parts of Pasadena. I watched more local news than I have consumed in years.

As the GoFundMe links started flooding in, I found myself paralyzed and overwhelmed, watching post after post from friends, their families, and our community who have been deeply impacted. We’re on day 9, and we’re still learning about friends who have lost their homes. The sheer magnitude of what has happened is difficult to comprehend.

I’m back in Pasadena and living out of bags because they told us to stay prepared to leave.

THANK YOU to everyone who has stepped up to support our community. Words can’t fully capture how much we appreciate you, but please know we see you, and we feel your love♥️

Around 4pm today, evacuations were officially lifted for my area 🙏🏽

“Community works faster than government.”

Day 10 | January 16, 2025

Day 11 | January 17, 2025

Day 15 | January 20, 2025

I’ve been struggling to stomach the pictures coming out from Altadena. I didn’t live there, but it’s always felt like home. I went to school there, spent countless hours at my friends’ houses growing up, and kept visiting their families throughout college. We had a lot of fun times. I’ll never forget the parties we used to have, moving from house to house with friends and friends of friends. This city may be big, but if you grew up here, you know the community is small and full of love. From a young age, people here accept you as you are; we either vibe with each other or don’t, and there is so much beauty in that.

We’re the first to see these GoFundMe links, and they seem to come in one after another, each representing someone’s world having the rug pulled from under them. I don’t think people outside of us can fully grasp the depth and magnitude of what we’re experiencing here.

I’m so grateful for how Altadena and Pasadena taught me that I could show up as I am long before the world tried to convince me otherwise. When I moved back to Pasadena in 2020, I kept a low profile, trying to manage life as best as possible. But life can pull you out of your shell when you least expect it. Vultures exist everywhere, especially when you’re vulnerable; please take care of yourselves and each other.

Today, I finally looked through the photos on my phone from my last hike at Eaton Canyon. It was a small moment of stillness, but it reminded me of the peace and beauty.

Sending love to everyone sharing resources and showing up for each other in any way they can

Day 16 | January 21, 2025

Growing up, I used to include Altadena in my representation of Pasadena. Friends born and raised in Altadena were quick to correct me and never let it slide. They don’t play about their city; it’s all heart and pride. And I’ve always respected that. We use “Dena” to honor and show love for both cities. Pasadena and Altadena hold equal weight in shaping who I am. Both cities, along with Los Angeles, raised me.

Altadena holds some of my most treasured memories. Sleepovers where we’d spend hours perfecting dance routines in the living room and backyard, pretending to be TLC, SWV, or En Vogue. Quiet, cold nights spent sitting outside, talking about life under a sky full of stars. Birthday parties and holidays. These memories wash over me like waves, sometimes faint but always present.

Over time, you start to see how deeply connected people are. Who went to which public schools, who’s been close since elementary, and who’s related to who. People are more connected than they realize. The threads of shared history and community run through everything.

When I left for college and talked about growing up in Pasadena, I was constantly reminded of how special Pasadena and Altadena are. People could see and feel it when they were around us. Our love for where we’re from is undeniable.

Our love runs deep, rooted in Dena. Always.

Day 17 | January 22, 2025

Thank you to Los Angeles Public Press for spotlighting Will and his family’s story, our online community journaling workshops, and the strength of the Dena community here.

The recent Eaton Canyon fires have deeply impacted us, but together, we’ve been finding strength in one another and working to support our community.

I’m committed to hosting monthly online journaling workshops centered on self-reflection, community, and transformation to support our collective well-being. 100% of February’s proceeds will directly go to displaced families, local businesses, and houses of worship affected by the fire. And community members impacted by the Eaton Canyon fires are welcome to join for free through our Community Care Pass. Whether new to journaling or deepening an existing practice, you’ll leave feeling grounded, inspired, and connected.

Journaling is a powerful way of capturing what you’re feeling and experiencing and validating your voice without judgment.

Our next workshop is February 23rd, 9–10 AM PST. Registration details are coming soon. I hope to see you there.

Day 22 | January 23, 2025

Today, the Eaton Canyon fire is officially 100% “fully extinguished.” It burned through 14,021 acres. Tragically taking 17 lives.

I haven’t been able to verify the source, but these are the final numbers circulating on social media, paired with the statement: “Damage inspections are complete.”

Destroyed — 9,418 total

* 6,018 single-family homes

* 96 multi-family dwellings

* 5 mixed (residential/commercial)

* 153 commercial properties

* 3,146 other minor structures

Damaged — 1,073 total

* 750 single-family homes

* 28 multi-family dwellings

* 2 mixed (residential/commercial)

* 33 commercial properties

* 260 other minor structures

The weight of this loss is beyond anything I can put into words. My love is with everyone who has been impacted. I can’t stop thinking about the depth of what’s been taken.

Thank you to the firefighters who fought to protect our communities. Special thank you to Altadena’s own Brandon N. Smith, a friend and Wildland Firefighter, who also lost his family home in the fire.

Donate to the Smith family here.

Day 29 | February 4, 2025

I met with a very kind pastor for the first time today. As we wrapped up, he said, “I didn’t open the meeting with prayer, but if you’re okay with it, I’d like to end with one.” Then he added, “I don’t know if you’re a believer.”

I said, “I am open to receiving all prayers.”

Love can show up in the form of a prayer.

Day 30 | February 5, 2025

Thirty days ago, the Eaton Canyon Fire swept through our Altadena and Pasadena communities, profoundly impacting our lives. In times of crisis, coming together with care and purpose can make a significant difference. Join us for a fundraising journaling workshop on healing, transformation, and community, emphasizing navigating transitions. Through writing and reflection, this workshop helps us honor our experiences and take part in restoring our community.

100% of the proceeds will go directly to displaced families, local businesses, and houses of worship affected by the Eaton Canyon Fire to support the restoration of our community. Donations to places of worship directly aid their members impacted by the fire.

Your participation isn’t just about journaling; it’s about being part of a powerful community. Journaling in community helps us care for ourselves, connect, and know we’re not alone. Journaling is a powerful tool for coping, processing, and healing. Through this practice, you can transform your life. This event is an opportunity to create together and feel the strength of community.

To grow up in Dena is a blessing, a privilege, and an honor. As members of this community, we create meaningful change when we uplift each other. With broad impact, we honor every part of our community. With deep impact, we transform lives. Done right, together, we foster diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Your presence at this event is an offering for our collective healing, connection, and support for community. Register today and be a part of this meaningful journey.

Read a recent LA Public Press article here about ‘Home is the people’: How to grieve and process with your community.

📢 For community members directly affected by the fires: Attend for FREE with the Community Care Pass.

You can also donate directly to their donation links below. Proceeds of this event will go to:

Additionally, you can donate directly to families and businesses in need here and here.

🗓 Date: Sunday, February 23, 2025 (After you register, mark it on your calendar)