March 19, 2024 The Best Source of News, Culture, Lifestyle for Culver City, Mar Vista, Del Rey, Palms and West Los Angeles

“Gratitude”: Beth Meneley

By Beth Meneley

Driving into the flames, into the clouds of smoke that once was, I knew there was still time to get home and gather the momentos of my past. Flashes of my life’s special moments helped me navigate my way into what was sacred and what was no longer.

As I drove closer to my home that was guarded by majestic trees, I felt lighter. The winds were getting stronger and the flames were to follow their lead. The same wind that I surrendered to so much in my life to help guide my journey, now would direct me once again.

I thought about my aging mind and what objects were still needed to connect me to the memories of my and my loved one’s past. Each piece was significant but had already transformed and added to new memories. I reminded myself that one piece contained the vibration of the whole and that I contained the pieces of all before me. I am the evolution of all that came before and that I will live on.

I thought about the freedom I would feel if the endless piles of paperwork that I would never get to would burn. The business I closed with a trail of never-ending chaos, how free I would feel if that would burn. I thought about all the time stolen trying to organize the union of all chapters of my life closing at once last year with too many projects to ever go through. How so much of what I held onto, only held me down, and I was about to be free.

I didn’t really want anything to burn because I knew there would still be plenty of grief and disruption needed to process, but I recognized the opportunity I had to refocus my life on what really mattered. I always held onto pieces of my past and the road signs of my journeys because sometimes that was the only way I believed I could remember, and there were people and memories I didn’t want to forget. I had always been a collector of moments, but now I knew I needed a lighter way to remember.

When I arrived home, I gathered cameras, computers, some clothing and the small objects that still brought joy to my son’s sweet heart. My son’s baby pictures were stored in a cloud that could not be filled with smoke. I bonded with each room in my tiny home and the memories contained within them.

I drove away from the flames this time, the clouds of smoke containing the memories of so many were behind me as I approached the safe home of nearby family.

I was a transient guest of the canyon where generations bloomed before me. My roots hadn’t yet grown entangled in the earth below like others that were forced to recreate their home. I was no stranger to the sadness that was intertwined within the living. My life had trained me for moments like this. My life trained me to see that so much of survival is being able to let go and follow the direction that the wind blows.

Our home was spared in the end by the direction of the wind, though just minutes from the origin of the first flame. When I returned, my little home surrounded by majestic trees still welcomed me with peace and stillness, allowing me to feel free within the embrace of its walls. No ruby slippers awaited me at my doorstep, but I had been reminded that my power and home is always within me and this was a memory that would never be in flames.

Related Posts

Culver City to Host Courageous Conversations Workshop For March This Week

March 18, 2024

March 18, 2024

Event Created  by City’s Equity and Human Relations Advisory Committee The City of Culver City’s Equity and Human Relations Advisory...

Woman Sentenced for $3.9 Million Fraud and Body Disposal Scheme with Elderly Victim

March 18, 2024

March 18, 2024

Gruesome Attempt to Dispose of Victim’s Body in West Los Angeles Apartment A San Fernando Valley woman has been sentenced...

Roadway Construction Alert at LAX: Plan Your Travel Accordingly

March 18, 2024

March 18, 2024

Lane Restrictions Scheduled Nightly from March 17 to March 23 After this weekend’s closures of Century Boulevard, which frustrated travelers...

Firearms Found After Police Pursuit Ends in West Los Angeles Neighborhood

March 18, 2024

March 18, 2024

Suspect Arrested Following Unintentional Discharge Incident A vehicle pursuit involving officers from the West Los Angeles Division on March 15,...

Tensley Wines to Take Part in Wine Masterclass in Culver City

March 17, 2024

March 17, 2024

Join Joey Tensley for an Exclusive Tasting Experience  Tensley Wines will participate in an exclusive Masterclass hosted by Total Wine...

Culver City Council Approves Monument Signs, Affordable Housing Initiatives

March 17, 2024

March 17, 2024

City leaders greenlight static signs for Culver Steps The Culver City Council has greenlit two static monument signs aimed at...

FBI Seeks Victims of Alleged Online Exploitation Scheme Allegedly Run by Resident of Santa Monica

March 17, 2024

March 17, 2024

Individuals Urged to Come Forward in Investigation of John Douglas Burch The FBI’s Philadelphia Field Office is urging individuals to...

(Video) Sarah Kate Ellis, President and CEO of GLAAD Responds to News of Nex Benedict’s Cause of Death

March 15, 2024

March 15, 2024

Sarah Kate Ellis, President and CEO of GLAAD, responds to the release of the Oklahoma Medical Examiner’s Ruling on Nex...

The Auld Fella: Brentwood and Culver City’s St. Patrick’s Weekend Destination

March 15, 2024

March 15, 2024

Join the Craic at The Auld Fella’s Celebrations: Dining, Drinking, Shenanigans If you are looking for an epic St. Patrick’s...

Venice Family Clinic Announces Inaugural HEART Gala to Celebrate Health and Art

March 15, 2024

March 15, 2024

Event Honors Creative Community and Supporters of Vital Health Care Services Venice Family Clinic, a non-profit community health center dedicated...

“Love Lies Bleeding” is Ripped: Actress Katy O’Brian Talks Love, Sex, and Vulnerability

March 15, 2024

March 15, 2024

Katy O’Brian is a Breakout Star Who Shines in Loving and Hilariously Violent Crime Film English film director Rose Glass’...

IRS Launches Direct File Pilot of Free Filing Tool for Taxpayers in California, 11 Other States

March 14, 2024

March 14, 2024

Free, Convenient Online Tax Filing Option Now Available for Eligible Individuals The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced the official launch...

Culver City Police Crack Down on DUIs During Weekend Spree

March 13, 2024

March 13, 2024

Multiple Arrests Made Following Alcohol-Related Incidents Culver City Police reported multiple DUI arrests last weekend following incidents involving drivers suspected...

MICHELIN Guide Unveils 10 New Culinary Stars in California, Anticipating 2024 Selections

March 13, 2024

March 13, 2024

9 Los Angeles Area and Beverly Hills Restaurants Featured as New Additions The prestigious MICHELIN Guide has announced the addition...

Chef Roy Choi Brings Tacos Por Vida to LA With Soft Opening in Palms

March 13, 2024

March 13, 2024

The Lines Are Already Growing at This Newest Roy Choi Taco Stand Celebrated chef Roy Choi is celebrating the debut...