When I evacuated, I brought my lion. Unlike most people, I don’t have many important belongings because I’ve lost most of my valuables through a series of tragedies. This has led to a fairly simple life free of many things. However, many people don’t know that I have high-functioning autism and have also survived a head trauma. Sometimes, when things are really stressful, it’s hard to cope, so I have a stuffed animal to help me. I bought it at IKEA—a big enough lion that can hug and comfort me when I’m scared or tired. I discovered how important it is to have these sorts of things because I’m an immigrant who became a settler-citizen and I’m alone like an orphan in the world if I have no one with me and it can be hard out there in the concrete jungle. So I brought my lion and since then I also have a really beautiful owl blanket because it’s really scary out there when you’re all alone. Thankfully, I’m not alone anymore. The wildfires were really hard and I was really happy to have my lion with me and I know I made the right decision to bring it along. so if I ever have to do it again, I’ll take my lion and my owl.