One of the things that struck me the most watching the LA fire coverage was an older Altadena resident saying: “Altadena’s not just beautiful on the outside, it’s beautiful on the inside too.”

My family moved to Altadena when I was 11. Over the past 24 years I’ve watched as my parents’ neighbors have slowly transformed their lives. All the small acts of love that have slowly transformed the neighborhood…fresh landscaping, renovations, new schools, new businesses…never mind all the history that was being so lovingly preserved. There’s a lot of love in Altadena and even at this moment, as the remains of people’s lives are being painstakingly removed, there is STILL so much pride in the city. While Altadena’s facade has taken a serious hit, I’m proud to report that the beauty within remains.

I finally had the stomach to drive around Altadena with my mom a couple of weeks ago. I took these photos from the car window— grieving what the community has lost while feeling intense gratitude for all that has endured.