Puzzlebrains

I woke up to an email from my sister this morning:
Hay U call dad. house burnt up.
My first thought was she's letting her language go to pot. After about 5 minutes of trying to work out why she would write to me using such terrible language, I actually read it and called my dad.
He had a house fire Thursday night. within 1/2 hour his house and everything in it was gone. What a terrible way to start the Easter Holidays!
Luckily all 8 people got out and they only lost one cat. Smoke inhilation I was told.
But even more shocking was the support from the community. Within a couple of hours they had a place to spend the rest of the night (fire was at 11:30 pm or there abouts) an outpouring of food and clothes from businesses and individuals. It's amazing what neighbours will do to help eachother in times of need. Even in a really tough economy. My brother and his family have been put up in a hotel for the next month, and my dad and sister and her baby luckily have moved into an unoccupied home that someone was trying to rent.
Evenwith the bad economy in the States, I'm humbled by the generosity of people.
I'm saddened that I'll never be able to return home and compare Katherine's growth with mine on the kitchen door, but thankful that no one was hurt.
And the boys, they loved the ride to the hospital in the police car They kept telling me how cool it was that they got to ride with the flashing lights on.

Golly! As you say, what a way to start the Easter holiday! But really glad to hear that everyone is OK which is the most important thing. But also really sorry to hear of this, all those possessions lost and the memories they would evoke! I do hope they can get their lives sorted out and back on track soon. All the best to them from here in a miserable damp England.

Laura

I thank you for your kind thoughts. I'm sure they'll settle soon. Dad was out house hunting today and has appointments to see a few next week. Can't keep a good man down I guess.

I hope the sun will shine a bit on your Easter morning.

I can almost relate to this as a near neighbour of ours had a house fire on Friday morning.
Three of them are OK but the younger boy (21) has 35% burns as it was his bed that caught fire. He's been sent to East Grinstead hospital as that's the best place for burns and he will need operations but they can't do them until his chest has improved from the smoke inhalation. To help his lungs they need to do physiotherapy by percussion on the chest. The burns are chiefly on his body and head so the physio is going to be pretty nasty!
The house is a mess but they're all alive.

Thoughts and prayers are with your family that they can accept what they've lost but be grateful for what they still have.

Katsmom - just read this. That's awful and wonderful all at the same time. They sound like they had a lucky escape - and we must be thankful for that. The loss of a childhood home is never easy, but at least your nearest and dearest are safe and well, and obviously being looked after by a generous community.

Looby - I hope your neighbour makes a full recovery!

Thoughts and prayers with you katsmom and with your neighbours Lobby, I will add them to the prayer list at the sunrise service tomorrow.

Sunrise? Crikey! I thought it was bad enough that I need to be at church by 9.30!!!

My thoughts are with everyone too. x

What a dreadful way to start the holiday weekend, glad they all got out. My aunt lost all her possessions in a fire including all photos of her son who died when he was a baby. The family rallied round and gathered together an album for her, by collecting pictures from everyone and getting copies done.

Laura wrote:Sunrise? Crikey! I thought it was bad enough that I need to be at church by 9.30!!!

Our 'Sonrise' service tomorrow is at 6 am. I just hope its not raining this year

So glad I'm a devil worshipper*. I can stay in bed as long as I like.








*...I'm not really, before anyone panics.

10.00am is quite early enough for me.

giraffe wrote:What a dreadful way to start the holiday weekend, glad they all got out.

Ditto from me. That's really horrible news.

So glad everyone is OK Rox. Possessions can -and will -be replaced, and memories never fade.

Only the people really matter.

Gill

I'm so glad your family is safe Katsmom.

Thanks all for the kind thoughts.

I love your idea giraffe. I'm going to make my easter calls and ask everyone for photos of my mom for my dad. That will make him feel better about things I'm sure.

Yes, get him an album together. Furniture and stuff is replacable, but photos can mean more.

It reminds me of when a friend was living in Zaire at the end of the 1980's. She had two very young boys and had about 10 minutes warning to get out of her house before rebels came down the street looting as they went. She grabbed the Calpol* and the photo albums and a (black) neighbour hid them in their attic for several hours until the rebels had passed and the army arrived in a tank to rescue them. The Calpol was to keep the boys quiet!!. She later heard about lots of her best ornaments and paintings being sold in the market but there was nothing she could do. At least they were alive (and it was some days before she heard that her husband had got out safely too). But the photo albums were what she felt was the most irreplaceable and most worth saving.
When something like this happens it does make you think. It's a good time to re-evaluate what is important in your life and what is just trimming. People are most important and memories can't be taken away. But the love and care of neighbours and friends is priceless.
Hope you family are all well Katsmum. And your neighbours Looby, especially hope the boy's treatment goes well and he makes a full recovery.

(* liquid paracetemol for children for those who don't know)

So sorry Katsmom about your dreadful news..... it will be a while before they are over the trauma of it all - the fact of having escaped will not cover all the pain and loss that is involved, although it is enough for the moment and the kindness of all those friends must be a wonderful help.