What a crazy week and a half it has been! I thought the
crazy rollover accident I witnessed last Monday morning was going to be the
most excitement I would see all week. I guess I didn’t have high expectations
since later in the day, our house caught on fire.
It was Monday later afternoon and all of us were home
earlier than usual. Jonathan had been sick the weekend prior and the hubby was
sick again too. I was able to flex my time since later in the week I had to
work late. Since my loved ones were sick, I thought I would take the afternoon
off and be home. I had been feeding Jonathan and I got hot. So I turned off the
gas fireplace. Then a few minutes later I smelled smoke. I don’t mess around when I smell
smoke. So I got up searching for the source. I even went outside to see if I
could figure out where it was coming from. When I walked back in, I saw a haze towards
our ceiling. I said “the attic!” My hubby got up and looked in our attic. He
smelled smoke, but no fire. Our wall behind our fireplace was hot too, so as a
precaution, we called the fire department.
The fire department rolled up within a couple of minutes
later. They looked around the house and then all of a sudden, they sprinted
towards the fire truck. As naive as I was, I didn’t really think anything was
the matter. Then I looked up at the house and I saw a flame and lots of smoke!
I almost freaked out at this point, but I quickly caught myself as I knew that
everything was going to be okay and that I had to be strong for my family.
Also, I’m in the business of crisis and our family has been through a lot of
crisis, so I guess it was second nature and that I knew it was going to be
okay. I was holding Jonathan in my arms real tight as John was working with the
firemen.
Of course John had to put that our house was on fire on
Facebook, so my phone kept blowing up. I only texted a couple of people to
pray, but once the Facebook world heard, tons of phone calls and text messages
were coming in. I did my best to get back to everyone at the time, but then
again, I was so overwhelmed with what was happening, that I just let the phone
calls go to voicemail.
While watching, our neighbors offered help and support.
Within 2 hours we got offered 5 different places to stay for the night, a box
of diapers, a can of formula and dinner. Some people from our church came by
too, which was super helpful to have comfort and my dad just happened to be
driving through the area, so he was able to me there too (perfect timing).
After the firemen left, we went inside. I was shocked to see
the damage. Our living room, master bathroom and master closet was totally
destroyed and we have a giant skylight. Our items didn’t get burned up, but
everything was damaged due to water, sheetrock and smoke. I was so thankful
that before they started spraying, they took off my pictures that was on the mantel
and covered some things so they wouldn’t get as damaged. Also, my wedding dress
didn’t get ruined either, which was a blessing because it was in our master
closet.
The last week and a half has been a roller coaster. We found
out that the fire was NOT our fault and that the gas fireplace had a malfunction
because it was not installed correctly. What is also scary and this is what
gives me goosbumps, is that there had been a fire smoldering for about two days
prior until it really caught on fire. TWO DAYS!! Just think if we were not home
sooner than usual, our situation could have been worse.
Another amazing thing that gives me goosbumps is that
tremendous amount of support we have gotten from our community. We have been
given gift cards, meals, diapers, clothes, formula, etc., by not only friends,
but total strangers. I think we would have had a harder time with this if it
wasn’t for the encouragement from people.
We have been doing well for the most part. There has been a
couple of days were I wasn’t fine. Last Saturday was the day I mainly broke
down. I don’t really like going to the house anymore. It gives me anxiety, but
we had to go every day to check on things. Saturday we walked through and the
restoration company had most of our stuff moved from the house. I saw all of
these boxes that said “non-restorable.” I was shocked at all of the stuff. It
seemed like majority of our things. I think that is when I really lost it as I’m
realizing that we have to get new things and that we will never be in that
house again (I really liked where we lived). Also, I found out that the smell
of smoke gives me anxiety. I smelled a simple fire from a fire pit and I about
freaked out.
Tonight we get keys to our new home. We can’t wait to get
back to normalcy. We found out the other day we really won’t get any of our
belongings back until the beginning of January. Before then, we have to go to
the warehouse where are stuff is and look at all the things that are
non-restorable and decide the things we are going to leave behind or take. For
example, I have a bassinet that I used for Jonathan. Well I know for sure that
is non-restorable, but that was used when I was a baby. So I don’t want it to
be thrown away, so I have the option to keep it. Even though I am not a
materialistic person, I still think this will be hard to look at all of the
stuff that we will have to leave behind. Even though it is stuff, it’s still
our stuff and it all had a purpose. There were things I saw in boxes that I was
surprised that it wouldn’t be restored, so I think I will be surprised when we
go.
After reflecting on this whole thing, we continue to be
thankful that we were at home and that we caught it at the beginning. We also
have restored faith in people. Just when we were unsure, people have surprised
us with love and compassion. We also realize that there is a need for items of
those who have suffered a traumatic loss. Though we are aware of the resources
available, we realize there needs to be more available, so I am sure we will be
giving back when a disaster strikes.
Thank you again for your prayers and support.
