Remembering La Conchita

For 14 years, I lived in Carpinteria, CA (with a short stint in Ventura mixed in). When driving north on US 101, Carp is the first city in Santa Barbara County. But, before getting to Santa Barbara County, the last town you pass when leaving Ventura County is La Conchita. It's a tiny little hamlet at the base of the foothills and fronted by US101 and, on the other side of the highway, the Pacific Ocean. I passed there every single time I went to Ventura, which was often, since there's very little shopping in Carp.

I was driving past with Carlos ten years ago when the first mudslide started. It wasn't a huge one, though a small one was all it took to wipe out a couple houses that time. Still, it seemed massive to me, and I wondered afterward how those people - not many, since there are only 60 or so houses there - could continue to live there. Surely, the mountain was liable to come down again.

When it did this past week, I wasn't surprised, but I certainly was devastated. I've seen the pictures on t.v., and on my computer screen, both my looking at online news sources and on my e-mail, with pictures there from Lorena. I think about the people who died this time, many of whom probably didn't even know what hit them. I pray that those people died instantly, and that most of them went just that way. I know it's too much to ask for instant, fear- and pain-free death for all, but we can certainly hope that the majority were oblivious in those last moments.

It amazes me that people are already considering rebuilding. Though La Conchita has been home to many people, and for long periods of time, let's face it, it's a death trap. Buried under tons of mud is not the way to go. And allowing the possibility of that is irresponsible of those in charge.

I think about the children who died in this mudslide. I would never, ever say that their parents are responsible for putting them in a dangerous position. Those parents have lost enough, and recriminations will do nothing to help these poor people who were left to pick up the pieces. But, if La Conchita isn't totally condemned, people will foolishly believe it to be safe, and will take new, vulnerable children into a place that could be the end of them, as well.

Emma is 21 months old. One of the children who died in the mudslide was 2. I realize how much that little girl had ahead of her when I look at my own child, and my heart breaks all over again. I hope that common sense will prevail, and that people just walk away from La Conchita.