The Blessing of Adversity
On December 9, 2007, our family had an enjoyable night putting up our Christmas tree. Homemade ornaments made by my five siblings and myself over the years, as well as ornaments my parents made as children were placed on the tree. The tree was trimmed with bows tied by my mother and poinsettias were placed in between some of the branches. We had our traditional hot chocolate and the house smelled of freshly popped popcorn. My younger brother and sister danced merrily around the tree to a Christmas CD excited about the coming holiday. Eight homemade stockings that my grandmother made, hung over the fireplace in our family room. This was the last fond memory I had of my childhood home. None of us knew at the time that a traumatic event was about to occur that would change our family’s life forever.
Twenty-four hours later the scene had changed tragically. My home was now wet, burnt and still smoldering from the events of that day. The smell was a combination of burnt wood and mold, a smell I’ll never forget. When our family was allowed to see what we could salvage there was scarcely anything left. The most difficult thing for me was seeing my once beautiful piano. The keys were charred and stuck together from the heat. My room was no better. The broken ceiling was on my bed and floor, soggy and blackened. Porcelain dolls that used to sit on a shelf I had painted myself lay on the floor all smashed. There was no wall where my window once was. It looked like a scene from a war movie. Tears burned my eyes while I surveyed the rooms where so many memories had been made. The only thought that kept me sane was knowing that my family was safe.
If it weren’t for the kind and generous people in our lives I don’t know where we would be today. Within three hours of our fire, we had a house, food, basic living supplies, including a refrigerator, washer and dryer and even a Christmas Tree was given to us by our wonderful friends. Several of our friends stayed late that night making sure our family’s needs were all being meant.
We lost our home on a Monday and that following Saturday we started the clean up. My family was overwhelmed by the amount of support we received from family and friends that day. We had more than fifty people come out to help take away the debris in wheelbarrows. Everyday for weeks someone would knock on the door of our rental house and give us something that would be useful for my family. Blankets, coats, clothes, food, school supplies and even a keyboard for me to play along with a few music books were just a few of the items which were given to us. My mom has an online business and when the word got out about our fire, we started receiving packages from all over the country. We had received so many things we had to give much of it away. Each and every time we were given something, my family was so thankful for the goodness we saw in others.
Having been through this experience has made me realize how benevolent and exemplary people are and how much, if given the opportunity, are willing and even looking for chances to serve others. I’m so grateful for the good works and kindness so many were willing to give to our family. It’s been a year now and we just celebrated Christmas in our new home. It seemed like an endless year but it was all worth it in the end.
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