"The Most Precious Possession I Have": John Mayer Is Earning Accolades For Articulating Why The Loss Of Personal Items In The LA Wildfires Is So Profound

The wildfires continue to devastate large areas of Los Angeles County as of Friday afternoon. According to the Associated Press, more than 10,000 buildings have been consumed by the flames.

Among the buildings affected or destroyed in the fires are numerous residences, taking with them a variety of personal belongings.

The significance of losing personal keepsakes was not lost on John Mayer, who posted on Instagram Thursday, offering a heartfelt reflection on the role these cherished items play in our lives.

John, who assured everyone that he and his Los Angeles residence are safe from the fires, posted a picture of a folder. He explained that the folder contained photographs he has gathered of his father. John mentioned in October 2023 that his father was celebrating his 96th birthday that year.

"This is the most precious possession I have," he wrote, explaining that the photos documented his father's life from childhood to adulthood. "It's the only record of his existence that will endure over time."

He then shifted his focus to the fires and the belongings people lost in them. "These are the 'documents' you hear about when people talk about salvaging from their homes," he wrote. "When you hear someone say they've lost everything in a fire, much of that 'everything' is this, if not all of it. Those who claim they'll be okay still have their folders and albums. Those who are devastated have lost them."

"Just after the immeasurable loss of life comes the loss of the evidence of life," he added.

The artist shared that although he doesn't typically pray, he would do so that evening for those who lost their cherished keepsakes. He explained that losing one's home is not about "art" or "collectibles" destroyed in the fire, but about the personal mementos that bind us to the people and things we love.

"It's the photographs, the letters, the class rings, the glasses, and all those keepsakes that serve as reminders of those we held dear," he wrote. "May those who have faced great loss find some measure of hope and strength in the love and support of family and friends,"

John concluded his post with a call to action, urging individuals to look out for one another.

"Take care, look out for yourself and each other, and remember that humanity, despite being hard to see at times, is very much alive and well. This is truly heartbreaking," he expressed.

His words received overwhelming praise in the comments, including from Kelly Rizzo, Bob Saget's widow.

She expressed her gratitude for his words, thanking him for "putting this into perspective" and shared that some of the first items she packed in her evacuation kit were mementos, including "Bob's glasses, many of his clothes, and personal belongings that I know are truly irreplaceable."

Andy Cohen, a close friend of John's, also shared a comment. "Beautifully expressed. We all carry a lump in our hearts for both friends and strangers enduring immeasurable loss," he wrote.

Questlove shared that his mother's side of the family lost their "entire history." He urged people to "hold on to the mementos" because "that feeling of incompleteness occasionally resurfaces."

Singer JP Saxe complimented John's post, calling it a "beautiful sentiment and exquisitely written."

Singer Paul Klein, from the band LANY, shared that he grabbed a guitar John had given him when he was packing. "I had just 3 minutes to leave last night. I grabbed my safe and the guitar you gave me 😭," he wrote.

You can view John's full Instagram post here and find resources to support those affected by the Los Angeles fires here.