Just two months after the Valley Fire, Middletown has moved from scenes of despair to a measure of delight -- all tempered, of course.
"Homecoming was supposed to be that week, and them the fire comes," said Shaun Roderick, a teacher.
Homecoming has come back and this time in a more meaningful way.
"It means there's people here for you. There's more people. There's more happiness. There's no more sadness going on," said Rose Duncan, a student.
Telling the stories of all the 97 kids at Middletown High School who lost their homes might take another two months, so Duncan will do for now.
VIDEO: San Ramon woman collects homecoming dance outfits for Valley Fire victims
As her house burned, Duncan's father, the battalion chief, had been dispatched elsewhere. Her dad was fighting other fires.
"We didn't know if he was OK. We didn't know because four fire fighters had been blown over by the fire already," Duncan said.
Not only students lost homes, staff too.
"There was a reason we lost our home. Does it make us stronger for the kids? Does it help us help them get through something that traumatic as a teenager?" Roderick said.
"You may have lost everything but we never lose each other. Just stuff, each other is what matters, really," Duncan said.
Ruins to resolve.
#middletownfire From ruins to resolve. Warms the heart. pic.twitter.com/aQikFjqmIB
— Wayne Freedman (@WayneFreedman) November 6, 2015
#middletown Such joy, such perspective. Especially in a student body where more than 70 lost homes. pic.twitter.com/NTQ2Q5KDyX
— Wayne Freedman (@WayneFreedman) November 6, 2015
#middletownfire “This is not about a football game, tonight.” Understatement. pic.twitter.com/hQSXHh6tEg
— Wayne Freedman (@WayneFreedman) November 6, 2015
#middletownfire So did husband Bill Roderick…the principal, who worked today on homecoming floats. pic.twitter.com/TZPgO5PwEc
— Wayne Freedman (@WayneFreedman) November 6, 2015
#middletownfire Teacher Shaun Roderick lost her home, too. Guess what… pic.twitter.com/DhqXkvMMbD
— Wayne Freedman (@WayneFreedman) November 6, 2015
#middletownfire Yes, Rose Duncan lost her home. her dad? The local battalion chief. And the smiling woman? pic.twitter.com/z5HUbLAVRs
— Wayne Freedman (@WayneFreedman) November 6, 2015
#middletownfire believe it, as Lake County’s Middletown High School celebrates an emotion homecoming, tonight. pic.twitter.com/k8bLrYsUAY
— Wayne Freedman (@WayneFreedman) November 6, 2015
#middletownfire Does this look like the face of a your woman who lost her home? pic.twitter.com/rMWTFg4Wrj
— Wayne Freedman (@WayneFreedman) November 6, 2015