John Mayer took to Instagram on Thursday to share a compelling statement about the importance of keepsakes in our lives.
John, who made it clear that he and his Los Angeles home were safe from the fire, shared a photo of the folder. The folder contained photos he had collected of his father, he said. John revealed that in October 2023, his father celebrated his 96th birthday that year.
“These are the most precious things I own,” he wrote, noting that the photos capture his father’s life from infancy to adulthood. “It is the only evidence of his life that will stand the test of time.”
He then turned his attention to the fire and the items people lost because of it. “This is an ‘article’ I read about people taking things out of their homes,” he wrote. “When you hear someone says they lost everything in a fire, it’s most, if not all. The person who tells you it’s going to be okay still has their folders and albums. The person who can’t console you, they lost everything. They lost everything.”
He added, “Behind the immeasurable loss of life is the loss of evidence of life.”
The singer said he would not be praying that evening for those who lost their beloved mementos. He said losing the home wasn’t about the “art” or “collections” that were destroyed. It’s about personal items that connect us to the things and people we love.
“Photos, letters, class rings, glasses, things that remind us that the people we love were here,” he wrote. “I hope that those who have lost so much can find hope and support from their family and friends.”
John concluded his post by encouraging people to protect one another.
“Stay safe, take care of yourself and each other, and believe that humanity and everything that comes with it is alive and well, even though it’s hard to see at times. This is truly devastating,” he said.
She thanked him for “putting this into perspective” and said she had included most of the evacuation kits, including “Bob’s glasses, a lot of his clothes and personal belongings that I know are completely irreplaceable.” First of all, I mentioned that some of the things I packed were souvenirs.
John’s close friend Andy Cohen also commented on this. “Beautifully said. We all have a lump in our hearts for friends and strangers who are experiencing immeasurable loss,” he wrote.
Questlove noted that his mother’s side of the family has lost “its entire history.” He encourages people to “take a souvenir” because “the feeling of imperfection rears its head sometimes.”
Singer JP Saxe praised John’s post, calling it “a beautiful sentiment and amazing writing.”
Lastly, singer Paul Klein, a member of the band LANY, said that he picked up the guitar John gave him when he was packing. “I had 3 minutes to leave last night. I grabbed the safe and the guitar you gave me 😭,” he wrote.
You can see John’s full Instagram post here and resources to help those affected by the Los Angeles fires here.
