THE PATH TO RENEWAL
Artwork from the PANEGYRIE Series
by Artist, Frédéric Halbreich
a year ago today
Today marks 1 year removed from one of the most devastating days in our lives and the lives of countless others.
The January 2025 Eaton Canyon Fire took so much from so many - including us.
Collectively our families, businesses, schools, etc. all faced losses from which we are all still recovering. Not only did we lose homes, businesses, and community hubs, some also lost precious members of their families and communities, as well.
Not one of us could have guessed how that day, and the days since, would change our lives forever.
If you’re like us, you were likely still feeling the hope and excitement associated with a fresh New Year’s start.
Goals, intentions, and health resolutions were probably the only things on your mind - never knowing those might quickly become the furthest things from your mind.
No one expected the unthinkable would occur… yet it did. One of the worst things that could happen to a person, a family, an entire community - HAPPENED.
Moving forward from that day has been no easy feat, and yet, we have all had to find a way to put one foot in front of the other and pick up our lives, after the devastating destruction the fires left behind.
“GRIEF CHANGES SHAPE, BUT IT NEVER ENDS.”
Our LEISURE & JOIE “Like a Phoenix” Custom Wine Tote in collaboration with Los Angeles-based, Certified B-Corporation, Apolis, was conceived to aid in our efforts to reopen and continue with our operations.
We are grateful for those who pre-ordered and purchased bags in a show of support. We ask that you consider getting this bag for yourself or your favorite wine lover as a reminder that though you WILL experience hardships in life, you WILL get through them.
Life does indeed goes on and you shouldn’t stop living.
Continue romanticizing your life in special moments - a picnic in the park, music at The Hollywood Bowl, head out to the beach… just don’t forget your new favorite lifestyle wine tote stocked with your favs.
grief and healing
To say a lot has changed in the last year would be a gross understatement. Though some have been able to regroup and start the path to healing a bit sooner, some are still dealing with aspects in the aftermath of this disaster that has actually postponed even being able to try to start moving forward in healing, in the days since.
Whatever the path, time has certainly passed more quickly than any of us could have imagined. No matter what “stage” of grief/healing you find yourself in, you’re entitled to how you are feeling. Such a huge loss will never be forgotten.
The best we can do is learn to “live” with it… by living with even more intention and purpose.
“GRIEF IS LIKE THE OCEAN; IT COMES ON WAVES EBBING AND FLOWING. SOMETIMES THE WATER IS CALM, AND SOMETIMES IT IS OVERWHELMING. ALL WE CAN DO IS LEARN TO SWIM.”
community
Whether you personally suffered this devastation, or not, you definitely know someone who has been directly impacted. Have compassion. Some of us don’t talk about or always share the things that still hurt.
In the time since, we do hope most of us have been able to “rebuild” some semblance of our “normal” lives in a way that feels comforting, and that you have since found a sense of “home”.
Time won’t ever erase the grief and the loss experienced that day, nor will it replace the feeling of safety many of us have yet to fully “regain”. We do hope that with time, the grief will not have such an overwhelming impact on your daily life.
Without going into it so deeply, our personal experience has been one filled with genuine love, support, and connection.
We are so grateful for EVERYONE - friends, family, and even strangers that showed up with kindness, love, and support through the loss of our home and our shop. The love received during this time is what made this entire ordeal bearable, giving us the fortitude to carry on.
We are also grateful we received a small business grant that allowed us to get LEISURE & JOIE on the road to “back on track”. We have a long way to go, but with your support, we WILL make it through.
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