Christmas Fire

This morning, as my daughter was opening her Christmas presents, my phone rang: it was my mother. I thought she was calling to see if we were on our way since I was going to her place to help her cook Christmas lunch. Instead, I was greeted by her screams. She said there was a fire, and they had little to no time to get out. They left without taking anything with them. My parents lost everything.

It turns out two good Samaritans were driving by and saw smoke and flames coming out of the attic; they got out of their vehicle and started pounding on my parents' door for them to get out: no fire alarms went off, and my mother was about to take a shower. My dad was the one who ran to tell her and get her out of the apartment. To the young men who knocked on their door: you are our heroes – if it weren't for your fast thinking and caring hearts, I would hate to think of what would have happened to my parents.

My parents are in their 80s and have always been givers, sacrificing everything for the family. They lost everything and have no insurance. They are currently staying with me and are still in shock, experiencing trauma. To make matters worse, we still haven't found their fur baby, their cat Eleanor.

We have created a GoFundMe to help them get back on their feet once the shock of the events settles.

Thank you all, and please have my parents and all of us in your thoughts and prayers as we get through these next several days and weeks.