Guest Opinion | By Aaron Proctor: A Former Resident’s Love Letter to Pasadena and Altadena

Although I no longer live in Pasadena, my time there deeply shaped me. I wanted to take a moment to express my appreciation for Pasadena and Altadena and how they unknowingly helped me navigate some of the darkest moments of my life.

When I lived there, I was struggling with undiagnosed mental health issues that I couldn’t understand at the time. I now know that I was dealing with bipolar disorder, but it wasn’t until 2020, when I reached an incredibly low point and attempted suicide twice, that I was finally diagnosed. I spent years feeling lost, isolated, and out of place—especially as I navigated my time and very public adventures in Pasadena. Looking back, I can see that, even then, I was living with invisible battles that no one could see. But the people of Pasadena and Altadena, with their kindness and sense of community, were a quiet yet constant source of support, even if I couldn’t recognize it at the time.

I think about the 2007 mayoral campaign I ran and how, despite my intense, sometimes combative rhetoric, I was never treated with anything other than respect by the people I encountered in Pasadena. I was outspoken and, at times, antagonistic, even lambasting figures like Bill Bogaard, who I later came to realize was a person just trying to do his best for the city. Despite my oddities—my love for strange music, my fondness for wearing makeup, my tendency to come across as a bit of an outsider—the people of Pasadena and Altadena were always welcoming. They had a way of embracing everyone, even those like me who didn’t quite fit in.

It was in those cities, in the midst of my personal struggles, that I learned what real community meant. I didn’t fully understand it at the time, but now I realize that the warmth I felt from the residents there was exactly what I needed. It was a kindness that I took for granted then, but it has stayed with me since, especially as I’ve navigated recovery.

As I now live in Philadelphia, I can’t help but reflect on those years and the way Pasadena and Altadena shaped me, even when I wasn’t fully aware of the support I was receiving. The kindness of the people there was an unspoken lifeline that helped me begin to heal, even if I didn’t realize it until years later.

I think about the recent Eaton Fire and my heart goes out to those who have been affected. I have no doubt that the same spirit that helped me through my struggles will guide the recovery process, as the people of these communities are resilient. I hope that the recovery is swift and thorough for all those who have been impacted.

Finally, as I reflect on Pasadena and Altadena, I can’t help but worry about the increasing pressures of development. These cities have a unique flavor, a character that sets them apart from anywhere else in the world. I hope that the forces pushing for unchecked growth won’t erase the very things that make Pasadena and Altadena so special—their history, their people, and their unwavering spirit of inclusivity.

Even though I may no longer live there, Pasadena and Altadena will always be a part of me. I will forever be grateful for the kindness of their people and the lessons I learned in the places that taught me how to love myself again.