May 8, 2010 has changed my look on life and how fast someone can leave the Earth. Every Mother's i usually go to my mom's grave sit and plant flowers. I actually did that a few days earlier for some reason. I have a very good feeling she was looking over me on the day of the fire.
I usually sleep in on Sundays but not this time. My grandparents went out to eat for Mothers Day at Gus’ in Mount Joy. I got up and did my usual routine. I then went onto the WGAL’s website for some odd reason and found out that my one friend was killed in a car crash early Saturday morning. I balled my eyes out because he was supposed to put me into the Navy and he was only 25 years old. It must have been a God thing because I never get on WGAL’s website but it didn’t seem right that he never showed up to play football with the Navy and Army at Longs Park, something just didn’t seem right.
Then after I found out that he was killed, I heard a noise between the one wall, which sounded like something was in the wall, I saw “dust” come out and I thought there was an animal in the house so I grab my cell phone and went outside because I was home alone; I wasn’t sure what to think. I waited a few minutes and decided to go back in. I sat down and about 10 minutes later I heard this “popping” noise and then that’s when I saw a little flame start at the extension cord and surge protector. I grabbed a cup of water and was thinking of throwing water on it, but opted out. When anyone sees fire they automatically think WATER to put it out, not on an electrical fire, HUGE NO NO!!! I was screaming and crying as I made the phone calls because I couldn’t believe this was happening to me right before my eyes. I was already a wreck from finding out about my friend and this all goes down. It all started in the basement where I lived and I lost just about EVERYTHING!
My brother-in-law was driving one of the engines, once he heard the house number he knew EXACTLY whose house it was! There's this one bridge down the road and he was going that fast that he might have gotten a little air as he went over the bridge and the other guys in the truck didn't care, it was a house he knew the people living there.
I called my older sister to tell her, mind you, I didn’t call 911 right away, bad idea!! She is a firefighter and the fire station is right up the road. I hung up and called 911 and within 7 minutes they arrived along with 6 other fire departments. I called my grandparents who were still out to eat and then they arrived shortly after the fire departments. It was very windy that morning, that’s way it went to a 2 alarm fire, hence that’s why they had so many fire companies and tried to save as much of the house as possible, which the only thing they saved was the roof! I grab my laptop and camera but no charges because they were connected to the surge, I also grab my grandparents dog and stuck her in my car, which I had to move so the fire fighters could get in thru the basement.
That day my mom was looking over me because I believe if I was still sleeping there’s no way I would’ve gotten out. The fire spread so fast because of the wind and the windows blew out so quickly. All I could do was sit and watch the fire fighters do their job and it was so hard to see. Some of them came up to me to see if I was okay and I told them “yea, I’m ok” but in reality I wasn’t and they knew because I just balled as they were talking to me. A week after the fire, I didn’t sleep much just because of the fear of something happening, which I knew nothing would. It seemed like a dream for the longest time because I didn’t want to believe that it happened. I should have been in the house but I guess I had guardian angels looking over me that morning!
I’ve been blessed with so much from friends at LCBC and I’m so grateful to be a part of a church who steps up in time of need. I guess Mothers Day wasn’t my time to go, but at the same time I wish it was because I’d be able to see my mom! Now I’m ready to return the favor of people helping me and giving back to others. I see what the community can do and I want to do the same for other people in need.
I just want to say thank you to the people who have helped me out financially, food, clothes and furniture! It’s all a huge help and appreciate it!! I am truly blessed to be a part of the LCBC community and it took me a week after the fire to accept help from anyone. I finally have accepted the help and realized I can’t do this on my own, that I need to let other people into my life. I just couldn’t do it by myself! I’m a person who hates to accept help when I need it the most because I think I’m strong enough to do everything myself, but I’m FAR from being strong.
We won’t be able to move in until November or so. I’d like to thank the people who have let me crash at their place for a week or even a month! I really enjoyed house sitting as well, it was a change of scenery and had blast with the dogs at some of your places or just letting me get some personal space. I think this summer has been the busiest as far as moving from house to house.
Thank you to the Sheaffer’s, Eldeen’s, Mitchell’s, Monos, Graybill’s and Barrett’s. It’s been a pleasure staying at your homes!
We all take everything we have for granted until its gone forever, I know I did! Tell your family and friends that you love them every day because you don’t when it’ll be your time to go. I've been through so much and if it weren't for God, I probably wouldn't be here; I have found such a great group of friends who I've became very close with and haven't helped me in whatever way they could.
THANK YOU ALL WHO HAVE HELPED ME OUT THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER!! I REALLY DO APPREICATE IT!!
