These are my two children: Journey Rose and Justin Bruce. My entire reason for existence.
Here is my husband Justin and daughter Journey. (never would guess there is no blood there!)
There is nothing I wouldn't do to keep my family safe.
New year's day 2023. 6:45am. I opened my eyes ever so briefly as I rolled over in bed with my 3 loves all piled in with me. The room was glowing orange. My brain woke up even when my body wouldn't. I knew i had to investigate. I looked out the window and saw orange light reflecting off the snow. I walked through my home. No smoke. No alarms. No sounds. In the back bedroom I heard a bonfire roaring above me. Ash flakes falling outside the window.
FIRE.
Panic.
I woke up my husband "Babe I think the house is on fire!"
He sat up immediately. Jumped from the bed and out the front door in nothing but some pajama bottoms. Barefoot, shirtless, -10° he saw the roof covered in 8 foot flames.
He runs in and tells me to get the kids dressed. He runs back out.
Mike.
I called the neighbor in the back half of the 2 complex house. Its not even 7am on Sunday. Hes sleeping but answered the phone. Relief.
"THE HOUSE IS ON FIRE. GET OUT!"
I hear my husband banging on his door through the phone. Mike opens and hes yelling "fire!" Pointing to the roof.
"Do I call 911?" He says yes. I hang up and dial 911.
It all happened within minutes but it felt so much longer. The kids were dressed well and grabbed my husband some socks. We walked out the door. Nothing in hand but what was important. Eachother. We got in the truck, pulled onto the street and was instantly blocked in by 4 firetrucks.
We sat there and watched our home burn.
Everything we ever worked for. Everything we ever bought.
All the things time collected and made memories with.
I thought we would go back eventually.
We never did. It was all gone.
To this day the pain has not gone away. I still think of random objects that are near and dear to my heart that I will never see again. The memory chests i made for each kid
First haircuts... trinkets from thier baby showers... and everything up to thier first birthday. My wedding dress. Our fish. All gone.
There was so much support from people I never got a name from. So many donations from toys to clothes, furniture and beyond.
Faith in humanity restored.
Depressed that night my daughter asks us why we are sad. As the 4 of us post up in my childhood bedroom at my parents house.
"we lost everything"
This angel of mine. The strength to my soul says "but you didn't loose me. You didnt loose grubby" (little justins nick name) She understood what really mattered. She is strong.
Only a month and we were blessed with a new place to call home. An upgrade to say the least. Lots of space, lots of land, lots of new memories to make.
But life is not easy. Its been 8 months since the fire and stability is not something familiar yet. So many things are still daily struggles.
But we have eachother. That's what counts.
I do not like to ask for help. I never had to before. But my pride is set aside now. If you took the time to read, thank you. We still have needs. We still hardly make payments on time. The light at the end of the tunnel is peaking through. Some day we will get back to normal. Someday.
Any help that can be given is beyond words of gratitude. My family thanks you. The kindness of strangers keeps my head up.
Cherish every day.
Thank you
