we often move on once something stops being in the news, but this is a reminder that for so many people the impact lasts so much longer. thank you for sharing this so honestly.
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we often move on once something stops being in the news, but this is a reminder that for so many people the impact lasts so much longer. thank you for sharing this so honestly.
Seeing the garden come back really got me. Not in a big dramatic way, but just knowing that what you planted before the fire was still there, alive in the soil, waiting to grow again. It was really beautiful to witness. Thank you for sharing. ❤️🩹
I’m an Altadena resident of 28 years that also lost my home and garden. Your description and experience of the Altadena community and grieving it’s loss is spot on. Thank you for sharing.
"it wasn't anything impressive, but i spent early brisk mornings tending to it and it was mine" just casually thrown in less than a minute into this video is crazy (positively)
I couldn't help but tear up watching this. I can't believe it's been a year. Just goes to show that nature always finds a way to bounce back. I think it's safe to say that a lot of us loved your home, but what made it more beautiful was seeing the abundance of love that lived in …
Today Concepción, Chile, my city, is burning to the ground. Very similar to the LA fires you experienced. You can look it up if you want. Close friends of mine, family of friends, my highschool teacher, and many others have lost everything in a matter of days. Lost their homes, t…
That shot up Lake Ave 😭😭 For those of you that don't know: In the aftermath, imagine if every other house in your neighborhood disappeared. Like you could see right through them into the next house behind. And then you walk up the street and more houses start to disappear. Then…
Hi Benji. When you sat down on your favorite rock I cried. Wishing you and Chris a wonderful future filled with many blessings.
Ugh the way you filmed and edited this video is just gorgeous, looks like an old italian film from the 70’s. Absolutely love it
I was never even at that house, but I miss it. It was so beautiful there. And I loved watching the glimpses of the life you both were able to show us. The life that you both were building there. Still remember the video of when you both went back to see about salvaging a few thin…
I don't know why I thought it would be a good idea to watch this on my work lunch break. I am SOBBING. I wish they would honour the old houses when they rebuild.
I can’t believe it’s been a year.
That bird of paradise blooming like nothing happened. So much loss of life, people's possessions, sense of home, and community, thank you for sharing and making people more aware.
Will your landlord be rebuilding and will you get the chance to move back? I hope so. My heart feels broken all over again for you.
Also lost our home and garden in Altadena. We were so lucky to have lived in such a beautiful, peaceful community. Thank you for showing it over the years and at present. ❤
Amazing that some plants survived. People and plants are resilient. We need to always remember that. Thanks for sharing.
Tears in my eyes. Thanks for this moving portrait.
nature never fails to amaze me. After just a year, so much greenery. I hope more people could see the power she has and appreciate her more. I find it so inspiring to see that some of the plants bounced back and reappeared. But besides that, you too Benji, are so incredibly stron…
Altadena is such a wonderful city. My grandparents had lived there forever before they lost their house in the fire. I have holiday memories there. My college graduation party was there. Altadena will always be in my heart.
I can't believe it's been a year. My heart still hurts immensely for you and your neighbors. Sending lots of love as always ❤️ I hope you and your family had a wonderful holiday, Benji
This was a touching and heartfelt tribute to Altadena. I can't imagine the raft of emotions you and Chris must have had while you were walking where, your home once was. Thank you for sharing this and I pray that you, Chris and the rest of the displaced residence can find home …
Seeing you sit in your rock brought tears to my eyes. I can’t fathom that level of loss- going there must have been so difficult for you and Chris- I hope all the best for you and enjoy your thoughtful, intelligent content. You’re a strong, dignified person and it’s a pleasure to…
my country is currently experiencing devastating wildfires in some of its most green and lush areas and displacing entire towns. watching this comforted me, thinking that maybe in a year it can all start bouncing back.
You and Chris are so dear to me. I once lived closed to your community. After these challenges, you can look forward to a brighter future, where healing and renewal pave the way for a stronger, resilient version of you. Take care always ❤
Benji, your narrations at the beginning and end are beautifully poetic and moving. You’re very talented.
You have grown so much Benji you are such an inspiration. Props to you and Chris for standing so strong throughout so much adversity. ❤❤
🥹I loved how the sunlight streamed through the living room windows of the Altadena house and the very quaint yard, your plants. Now that you guys are in your new place, I realized that it is actually you and Chris - the love and peace within you resonates all around you.
In 2020 my family home was damaged in the Bobcat fire that spread through the opposite side of the San Gabriels. When it started it was no where near us but it blew up to 100 thousand acres and eventually spanned from Pasadena to the Antelope Valley where it burned down many of m…
Neighborhoods that feel like a community are rare. Thank you for sharing the feeling of being in Altadena
1年経つんですね。衝撃と悲しみと痛みでした。このチャンネルを見ていたので遠い国の出来事ではなくニュースを知った時に心配だったことを思い出します。美しく素敵なお庭は無くなってしまったけど、今ベンジーとクリスが無事で元気でそれが全てだなと思います。生き残った植物がいたこと、地面から新たに出てきた植物(雑草だったとしても美しい)で緑に覆われた地面になったことを見せてくれてありがとう。植物たちの力強さに生きていくこと、ただただ前に進むということを教えられた感じがします。いつの日かまた庭仕事する日が来るし、その姿を私達が見れる日が来ることと思います。今はアパートが…
ENSo it's been a year. It was shock, sadness, and pain. Since I watched this channel, it didn't feel like an event in a faraway country, and I remember being worried when I heard the news. The beautiful, wonderful garden is gone, but now Benji and Chris are safe and well, and I think that's everything. Thank you for showing us that some plants survived, and that the ground became covered in green from new plants sprouting (even weeds are beautiful). I feel like the strength of the plants taught me to just keep living and moving forward. I believe the day will come when you garden again, and we will get to see it. For now, I look forward to the process of setting up the apartment and meeting new plants. May the 19 people rest in peace. I hope the recovery of Altadena proceeds in a way that respects the feelings of the residents.
10:18, most of those plants are thriving now because of the burnt ground probably. Something I find beautiful about life and I think helps cope with death and destruction, is that literally after death, life thrives. After a fire the ground becomes rich in potassium and calcium, …
Here in South Africa, we're having a terrifying fire season, and I know from some farmers in Australia they are also having some hairy ones this summer. I want to encourage everyone who is willing and able to get involved in your community firefighting organizations. The days of …
This was beautiful and gut wrenching, I teared up multiple times watching this. I can’t believe it’s been a year, I still remember finding out you lost your home and my heart completely broke for you. Seeing the spirit and resilience of the Altadena community is so bitter sweet. …
This was beautiful, Benji. My partner and I are so grateful that you, Chris and the animals got out okay (thank goodness your neighbor thought to warn you!!!), and you got help to move on. We appreciate both of your channels so much. Your chronicles from this place are an im…
Crying again ♥️ we are proud of you benji!
I studied ecology for a while and this is a beautiful reminder for me, that ecological succession works: After a disturbance in the eco system pioneer plants come in first. They are not picky and thrive on the abundance of sun light and the lack of competitors. These plants, such…
Off topic but your colorgrading and cinematography is really nice in this video.
Truly admire your grace and grounding nature throughout this video and the past year <3 such a moving video, the tears wouldn’t stop flowing !!
I live in Tujunga and I also evacuated. I was very fortunate that it didn't get to my area but my heart is completely shattered for what happened. I used to go to Altadena a lot and I haven't been able to go there since. All my love to you and Chris ❤️🩹
Thank you Benji for taking us back there.❤ You’re both so dear. I don’t know you but I love you. Both you and Chris are such special, dear, and beautiful people. I have a dream of you and Chris living there again in that place, so near and dear to your heart, with your home rebui…