When tragedy strikes

In my last post, I wrote a bit about a fire in our community. Well, I stopped by the house again last Friday with my youngest son, and talked to a man who was working on demolition and clean-up. When I asked where the family was now living, he gave me directions and off we went. I wasn't sure what I was going to say, but my heart told me I had to go.

I found the house and spoke to the mother of my son's classmate. She was making and fielding calls to and from various people, insurance companies, banks, businesses and agencies trying desperately to piece their life back together. I offered her a hug, my phone number and our continued support. Then I reached into my pocket, pulled out a gift card and told her that I knew she needed it more than I did. We hugged once more and then I left. But I know I'll be back because I want to do more.

You see this family lost everything. Not just their house, but their home. Plus all of their furniture, clothes, social security cards, birth certificates, IDs, bank account information, treasured antiques, a cherished pet, and various other sentimental belongings. Things we all take for granted each and every day.

Now I am trying to rally the troops to get others to provide a little extra cushion for this family. I hope that I can convince the school, or at least the 5th grade class, to hold a silent auction, a bottle drive or a "penny war" {where the kids in the school collect coins to donate to a charity} Anyways, I hope that I can start the ball rolling today, since I'm home nursing my son's enormous case of the chickenpox.

Funny how life will throw you these little curve balls, whether it's chickenpox or a fire, to get you to stop and count your blessings. We don't live in a very big house with expensive furnishings and decor, but I am grateful every day that we have a house to call home, as well as warm comfortable beds to sleep in, and hot water to bathe with. And I am truly grateful that we are all in good health.

Just yesterday as I was folding some clean towels, I was thinking about how everything we have is old and worn, mismatched and ordinary. Although our furniture is nothing to showcase, we are comfortable with it, it's what we can afford and we really don't need anything more. That doesn't mean I wouldn't want some new, glamorous furniture, especially a dining room set. But for now, we make do.

I get irritated when I hear Oprah tell viewers that they should buy new linens, pillows, mattresses, and upholstery at least every few years to prevent dust mite infestation. Well Oprah, if I had your life I could do that without worrying how to come up with the money to buy groceries & clothes, pay the mortgage & the taxes, pay for fuel & health care and all of the other things we budget for. So for now I will graciously share my furniture with the dust mites and give thanks that we have our house to come home to every day.

Note to self: stop watching so much TV.