Anytime a natural disaster occurs, it is normal for those of us outside of the zone of impact to be moved with compassion for those who are coping with the devastating effects of the latest fire or storm, and while I joined the chorus of millions by using my Facebook platform to check on my family members and friends living in Southern California yesterday, while most noted that they were “safe” from harm, several close friends that I met during our collegiate years—each hailing from the Pasadena/Altadena areas in California—indicated via social media that their homes and hometowns were being razed in real time .