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an experience that made
me who I am today
There are several experiences that molded me into the person I am today, but one always stands out above all others.
On November 19, 2002, I went to school as a spoiled girl that had everything she ever wanted. I left school that same day as a girl who had nothing but the clothes on her back. That morning, my family’s home burned to the ground. It was the only home I’d ever lived in and it was full of possessions and memories.
not our house… but you get the point.
It’s almost impossible to explain how the events of that day changed me. So many hard, hard lessons were learned. So many lessons that this gal needed. Lessons that I plan on teaching my children, so they can understand what life is really about- without losing everything.
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I take nothing for granted. I know that it can go up in flames (literally) at any given moment.
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Photos really do mean as much as you think they do. I still, to this day, think of photos that are gone and how badly I’d like to have them.
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Things can be replaced. Really, you can lose it all and you will find a way to go on. Is it fun? Oh hell no, but you can and will do it.
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My parents are wonderful people and they have amazing friends. So many folks took time out of their day and money out of their pockets to help us.
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Sometimes all that a friend can do is offer a hug. And sometimes, that alone is enough to get you through the next few hours.
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There isn’t much sense in collecting items if you never enjoy them. My home is filled with things that make me smile- not things packed into a closet.
Those are just a few things I learned. I guess the biggest lesson was simply that life is not about “things.” If you are trying to keep up with the Jones’ then you really aren’t living at all. Even though we lost it all, we were so thankful that we weren’t home and that we were all safe. THAT is what mattered- each other.
If my house hadn’t burned down, if I hadn’t lost everything, there is no way I’d be the appreciative, grateful, unmaterialistic person that I am today. Period.
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>Sometimes things happen so we can learn from them. I have not ever been through a fire, but at one point in my life I did have to walk away from everything material I owned. I understand how devastating it can be. I can see you learned from your experience, thank you for sharing it so maybe others will get wise before it happens to them.
>Wow! I'm so sorry you had to experience something like that but yes, you truly learn to value things in a different light and thank god you were all safe. <3
>I can't imagine dealing with devastation like that. I've been so lucky.
One thing to pass along to everyone….take your video recorder or at least your camera and photograph EVERYTHING in your home or apartment. Then store those OFF SITE for insurance purposes. Can you imagine, after seeing everything burned up, being able to recreate your material losses? This makes it much easier.
And be sure your insurance is adequate…if you rent, GET RENTER'S INSURANCE.
Hugs to all!!!
>Luckily I have never personally had to deal with a fire like this. I do remember when I was a little girl my aunt's neighbors house burned though, almost completely to the ground, and I was impacted by that a great deal. To just see such devastation right there next to my aunt's house was odd.
Thank you for sharing such a great post!
>This is going to be a day full of beautiful posts, I can just feel it, and guess what, you set the bar so high! Beautiful way to take something horrific and turn it into a learning experience for your whole life. I am so glad to hear no one was hurt in that fire, but my oh my, I can't even imagine what it must have been like to live through an experience like that!
>I have never experienced a house fire, but I did lose almost everything through a divorce. I wanted out of the marriage so badly that I let him have everything except my children and their belongings. It was a very tough time, but I made it and am a stronger person today because of it.
>Thank you for sharing this. My husband went through this as a kid too. We had the house next to us burn down and I know the fear I felt at that point, nothing happened to our home though.
>I can't imagine what it would be like to go through something like that. It's amazing instead of that being a negative experience that it's managed to make you a better person.
>Oh Wow. I am so sorry you had to go through that 🙁 That is so sad, but I agree with many of the lessons you learned. I learned similar lessons when my parents got robbed.
>I'm so sorry that that happened to you – sadly I know a few others that it has happened to also.
>I am so sorry you and your family lost your home. But I am glad you were able to draw a positive from it and learn from it.
>Oh my goodness – very scary! It does make one appreciate everything in life. I'm sorry you had to experience this though 🙁