With Space Widening Between Us

A little over a year ago, I thought I knew what the next decade held. Today, I honestly have no idea where I’ll be a year from now. I know what I hope for.

My parents are rebuilding in the Palisades. Their home was built in 1925. They chose what felt like the easiest path forward. They switched from a two story to a one story. They picked out a prefab. And still, because there were no original plans on file and decades of additions weren’t documented, they’ve hit unexpected delays.

Meanwhile, the houses on either side of their lot are already rising, one of which has made astonishing progress.

But what I'm trying to say is this: I'm feeling less connected. If you looked at our collective story on a chart, many of us started on a similar path.

For a while, for me anyway, it felt like we were one line moving through the same event together.

But now it feels more like a chaotic scatter chart.

There’s no obvious pattern. No clear trajectory. Just space widening between us. And I’m not even sure where my point sits anymore.

We started this together. Now it feels like we’re moving in different directions.

So if you’re willing, send me an email. Tell me where you are in all of this. Did you decide to stay? Did you leave? Are you rebuilding quickly? Are you exhausted and stuck? Are you hopeful? Are you done?

Not as part of a campaign. Just as a person.

I want to understand the real shape of our community right now. Outside of policy. Outside of appliances.

We may be scattered across the grid, but I don’t want us to disappear from each other.

Holding space for your story,

Sara G. Marti and Resilient Palisades