Help Laura & Delilah Start Over After PalisadesFire
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Hello friends,
I’m struggling to find the right words to encapsulate my depth of loss in the last 24 hours, after perhaps the most difficult year of my life.
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January 7th, 2025 ~ the Palisades fire ravaged my beautiful community, and home of 15 years in the Pacific Palisades. A tiny, rent-controlled one bedroom apartment that I loved, that held every photo and memory of my last 44 years. A safe, comfortable, somewhat piece of sh!t yet cherished apartment that housed myself, my partner Jason, and at once, my three dog family… and often many adored board and train clients.
December 2024 ~ I lost my almost first daughter at 4 weeks… our only remaining normal embryo.
June 5th, 2024 ~ I said good bye to my very wanted and precious son, at 17 weeks… after five years and 30+ rounds of IVF, because of a devastating fatal heart condition.
June 3rd, 2024~ I lost Penelope at almost 15… after a brutal fight against kidney disease… My sweet middle child and the happiest pup to ever live.
I’ve been quiet on social media for most of the last six years, as I’ve endured losing my heart and soul, Preston, and sacrificed my career to pursue my dream of starting a family. I have faced countless dark nights of endless tears, too drained to articulate my current reality or ask for help. I’ve lost my bubbly, positive self in survival mode… desperate to stay strong and resilient knowing somehow, it will one day be okay.
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Delilah and I are now officially homeless… like so many friends. I am in shock, seeing the ashes of my beloved home. I didn’t sleep for 48 hours as we evacuated multiple times and then last night… sobbed in horror, replaying the nightmare that is my reality.
I’m grateful Jason & are safe. I still have my best friend and only remaining dog, Delilah. I’m thankful I have my home on wheels, Gidget the Sprinter… one paddleboard, my snowboard, a few onesie pajamas from our holiday trip to Lake Tahoe, and my passport.
I have lost everything else material of value; All of my clothes, dresses, shoes, jackets, skincare, toiletries, furniture, appliances, rollerskates, rollerblades, surfboards, dog training equipment, office documents, all of Delilah’s toys and beds…
What I’ll grieve the most are the precious, irreplaceable items; Preston’s ashes. Penelope‘s ashes. Handprints and footprints from my son. Artwork of my dogs from friends and fans over the years. Every photo from my childhood, awkward high school years, early hopeful days in California… Every cherished photo memory is destroyed. And the worst part of my loss? I had a few scrapbooks from my mom, that were in a fireproof bag that I’m praying may be in the rubble… But it is all I have of her. I was so naive when I evacuated, I didn’t think I would say goodbye to my apartment forever …I wish I had collected all of these things, instead of my stupid passport.
HOW CAN YOU HELP?!
In the midst of this devastation, I am overwhelmed by the love, compassion and thoughtfulness from my friends, family, and even dog loving strangers offering support. The animal community is incredible. ❤️ I feel weird making a GoFundMe, but humbly appreciate everyone’s generosity during this trying time. I had minimal renters insurance, and now I’m saving for a down payment for Delilah’s retirement home. No gift is too small… whatever you can contribute towards non-covered expenses, I will be so grateful and hopefully repay the favor one day.
I’m resilient continuing my IVF journey in the midst of tragedy, and determined to find a new retirement home for Delilah to grow old… Somewhere with the backyard where she can watch squirrels. Somewhere quiet and safe where I can raise my future baby.
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Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to read this, and reach out over the last 48 hours. I will survive… I will recover. And it really helps knowing I am not alone. Whether you can support with a contribution or simply sharing this link, I am beyond grateful. The overwhelming love I have felt gives me strength to carry on. ❤️
If you prefer, my VENM0 is @LauraNativo
Words cannot express how grateful we are for your generosity, as we begin the excruciating process of trying to rethink our everyday life and future. Please hug your family and animals tonight… Appreciate sleeping in your own bed, cooking a meal, taking a bath… All of the simple things I am grieving.
Thank you thank you in advance for supporting Delilah and I, from the bottom of my heart and her belly. We love you.
Laura & Delilah Nativo
Organizer
Laura Nativo
Organizer
Los Angeles, CA