There are no pictures. You must imagine.
What would you do, if you lost almost everything?
What would you mourn?
What would you miss?
What would you be grateful for?
In what ways would you be thankful for what you had left?
What would you do, if your house burned down?
What would you do?
How would you react knowing that your family got out safe?
No injuries, no death.
What would you do?
On Friday night, Jeff's sister, her husband and two little boys faced these exact questions.
On Friday night, their lives changed.
On Friday night they watched as the home they loved and worked for, burned.
Pictures, memories, belongings. Lost.
But all of them, safe.
Observers, including myself, watched them handle everything with grace.
By the time Jeff and I got there, Dawn had left to her in-laws to put to bed her two, precious, dear little babies. But I was told that she was stoic, and calm.
Matt stood, watching, helpless, as the firefighters walked through what was left, but grateful that his family was ok.
When I look at my house, when I look around at the things I have, I truly feel differently about it all. Yes, I would miss it to some degree, but how could I care about any of it if I could still wrap my arms around my husband and children?
And did I mention the community around them? 6 hours after the fire started, there was a garage full of donated items. With more offers coming in, constant phone calls asking how they could help. Did I mention how much I love the members of the Mormon Church? My religion is a huge part of who I am, and I was so proud to count myself with those who gave so willingly.
Did I mention the community where Matt and Dawn live? Offering to match any donations that come in to the fund that has been set up for them?
It was a terrible thing. I can only imagine how they feel, since I have never experienced something like this first hand.
But I witnessed some amazing things this weekend.
I witnessed grace under tremendous loss.
I witnessed giving wonderous to behold.
And I came home more appreciative of my little family.
Knowing that if all else is lost, that they are mine. Forever.
And tonight? We are having a family home evening on being prepared, having a family emergency plan, and fire safety.
I highly recommend it.
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Fire is so horrifying but I'm so glad everyone is (relatively) ok.
ReplyDeleteAnd go Mormons! They rock at this sort of stuff.
What happened? I am dying to know! Mainly so I can know how to prevent such an event if at all possible. I'm so sorry for them. I've known a few families who have been through this and it truly changed them forever. It's VERY hard to deal with such a loss. I'm really sorry for them.
ReplyDeleteThat is an awful thing to have happen. It is such an eye opener to what truly matters. There was a family in the ward this happened to just last month. The mom had her baby were in the house and she just had a thought to go to Target. When she got home the entire house had gone up. Thank goodness she followed the spirit. I love our church too!
ReplyDeleteAmy, I am so sorry to hear about this...I am sure you will hug your family a little tighter tonight. How did the fire start? Maybe their experience will help someone else.
ReplyDeleteHoly COW! How scary. I'm so glad that they are all okay.
ReplyDeleteIt is a good reminder for all of us to be prepared. I'm also so grateful to be a member of our church...so so so grateful. Thanks for sharing this story.
OMGOSH!!!!!! That is soooo awful! I am sooooo glad everyone is safe and together. and unharmed!!!! It is true.. things are things and in the scheme of things they don't really matter....
ReplyDeleteHip hip horray for Mormons!!!! We ROCK!!!!