Living--and Loving It--in L.A.

After reading Garry Abrams’ story “Floods, Fires, Quakes . . . It’s One Thrill Ride After Another” (Jan. 26), I had to respond to the question “Why are any of us still here?”

I know why I’m here. On Jan. 26, the sun is shining and I look out my window and see green from the rains and there are flowers blooming.

I’m here because even though we had an earthquake last year, so many people seemed to get along and to try to help one another. There was a lot of compassion.

I’m here because I look past all the negative things about L.A. and I see beauty. (Since when are we the only city in the world with some problems, natural or otherwise? Every place has a dark side.)

I’m here because if you look at the shape of the world, you see a pretty bleak picture and that makes L.A. look like a pretty great place.

RACHEL ORR

West Hills