Joy

In Southern California, as the forest fires raged, my friends—a couple forced to evacuate—sought refuge in my home. They went to bed that night weighed down by worry, only to rush back up the mountain at dawn, driven by an urgent need to see their home.

The indescribable joy they felt upon discovering their house still standing amidst the devastation was palpable. When I arrived at my office early that morning, I was greeted by a beautiful bouquet they had gifted me—a radiant arrangement of sunflowers. Their vibrant petals mirrored the couple’s relief, a striking symbol of hope breaking through the clouds of uncertainty. This moment, filled with resilience and gratitude, beautifully encapsulated the human spirit’s ability to find light even in the darkest times.