Burnt to the ground.

I stood among the ashes of what once was a home—now looking more like a scene out of War of the Worlds. Only a chimney stood proud, rising above the flat black rubble.

This past month, I spent a day with Samaritan’s Purse helping recover homeowners’ treasures after the Eaton Fire. We searched for anything—anything—that could still hold meaning and had somehow survived.

We found a few coins from an old collection. Some pottery with sentimental value. A piece of metal heart art that once hung in the hall. And a ring.

It wasn’t much, but it brought a small light of hope to a few worn and weary faces.

As Southern Californians, we’re used to fire season. The hot, smoky days. Most of the time, we’re fortunate to remain unaffected. But the Eaton and Pacific Palisades fires hit differently. Whole communities—once considered safe—were wiped out. The losses have come up in many of my design meetings recently.

Can you imagine?

Suddenly, everything you’ve worked so hard for—gone. Family heirlooms, books, furnishings, even newly remodeled spaces.

It gives us all pause. What’s truly replaceable? What’s not?

I’ve had multiple suitcases stolen in my life. At the time, a few of the items inside felt very important. But now, years later, I can’t even remember what was in them. A distant and foggy memory.

We’re constantly bombarded with advertisements telling us that if we just had this one thing, our lives would be better. And honestly? Some of those things do make life better. But many end up tucked away in the closet—or years later, out at a yard sale.

So with all this in mind… what really matters? Should we even invest in our homes?

Of course we should. Transformed spaces transform lives.