A University of Houston (UH) student, Aidin Judd, is facing the emotional aftermath of his family’s devastating loss in the ongoing wildfires that have ravaged the Los Angeles area.
As a senior finishing his time at UH, Aidin has been grappling with the intense impact the wildfires have had on his family back home, nearly 1,500 miles away. Two of his family’s homes in L.A. County were destroyed in the blaze.
The wildfires, which began on January 7th, have caused widespread destruction, affecting thousands of people, including those far from California—like Aidin in Houston. For Judd, the pain has been especially hard as his family’s homes in L.A. were not just properties, but the heart of countless family gatherings over the years.
A Family’s Legacy in L.A.
Aidin’s family has owned property in Los Angeles County for decades, a place where his aunt and grandparents lived just walking distance from each other. Their homes held generations of memories and were the meeting place for family holidays. This was the site of their last Thanksgiving gathering—one that would tragically be their last before the fires ravaged the area.
“It was my aunt and grandparents’ home. There was a casita in the back that my granddad actually built. It was originally a garage, but my aunt would live there, and sometimes my entire family would meet there,” said Aidin. “It was always a good middle ground for everyone to come together. We’d always gather there for holidays.”
The sense of loss is compounded by the destruction of the place that served as a refuge and a symbol of family unity.
A Lasting Impact
While Aidin’s memories are alive in the photos he has from those gatherings, the physical place is now gone. “It’s pretty surreal,” he said. “I just have to show people the pictures because there’s really nothing else that describes it. It’s not just rubble, it’s the memories too, and that’s hard to put into words.”
Though the fire’s damage was devastating, Aidin is doing his best to balance his academic responsibilities with supporting his family. “It’s difficult for me sometimes because I feel like I shouldn’t be focusing on school. I want to be there for them. But I’ve been trying to stay in touch, checking in, and seeing if they need anything.”
Despite the overwhelming grief, Aidin holds onto a sense of hope. “I would like to go back to see the site with my own eyes. It’s hard to believe it’s real until you see it,” he said.
Looking Toward the Future
While the loss is immeasurable, there is some relief. Aidin’s family had fire insurance, which will help them rebuild, though it will not cover everything. The family is now left to rebuild their lives and memories from the ashes, and some things simply cannot be replaced.
The University of Houston community has rallied behind Aidin and his family, helping spread the word and raise funds to assist with replacing things that insurance won’t cover. “The support has been incredible,” Aidin shared. “It means so much to us, knowing people care and are willing to help us through this difficult time.”
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