The start of a new year often invites reflection. Looking back at what has been, while also turning toward what may come. For many, 2025 was a challenging year. In Pasadena, it was marked by profound loss and devastation. This month, we reach the one-year anniversary of the Eaton and Palisades fires, and for many individuals and families, that loss remains deeply palpable.
While the world has largely moved on and the 24-hour news cycle has shifted its focus elsewhere, the impact of those fires has not faded for the people who lost homes, neighborhoods, schools, and a sense of safety. In my own community, and in my work with clients, I continue to witness how present this grief remains. As we close out 2025 and look toward 2026, it feels important to hold space not only for hope, but also for what is still being carried.
The year ahead may bring new beginnings. Many will move into new homes and environments. Schools will be rebuilt, and businesses will continue to reopen. At the same time, change is unavoidable. It is natural to wish that what was lost could be restored exactly as it was on January 6, 2025—the day before the fires. Yet the reality is that things will look different and feel different. For some, the rebuilding process will bring financial strain. For others, the idea of returning at all may feel too painful.
The psychological impact of witnessing such widespread destruction, of seeing something we never imagined could be lost, has been profound. While we can hold gratitude for safety and survival, the trauma of that terrifying night has left a lasting imprint on both children and adults.
As we move into 2026, many will be celebrating the promise of a new year and the hope of positive change. At the same time, it is important to remain mindful that for many in our community, grief is still very present. The one-year anniversary can bring renewed waves of sadness, anger, and fear. This can often be intensified by media coverage, conversations at work or school, and the return of vivid memories from that night.
For both children and adults, having a safe and compassionate listener can make a meaningful difference. Creating space for grief without rushing it or trying to reframe it into positivity, helps people feel seen and supported. When we push too quickly toward joy or celebration, we may unintentionally convey that grief no longer belongs, or that something is “wrong” with continuing to mourn. Anyone who has experienced loss knows that grief follows its own timeline, and for many, it unfolds over years.
For young children, limiting exposure to news coverage and avoiding imagery related to the fires can be especially helpful. Children often process trauma through behavior, play, and emotion rather than words, and may need reassurance that they are safe now. Maintaining predictable routines, offering simple and honest explanations, and allowing questions to arise naturally can help restore a sense of stability.
Adults, too, may benefit from setting boundaries around media consumption, especially around anniversaries. Giving yourself permission to step back from triggering content, to talk openly about what you are feeling, or to seek professional support is not a sign of weakness, it is an act of care.
As we welcome 2026, we can hold both grief and hope at the same time. We can honor what was lost while remaining open to what is still possible. Healing does not mean forgetting. It means allowing ourselves, and one another the time, space, and compassion needed to move forward in ways that feel authentic and supportive.
