Eternal Flame For Home

Hello. Before we begin, I'd like to thank you for taking the time to sit with me for a moment and read my story. This has been the most humbling experience of my life and we are only five months in.

My name is Susan Pickford and I am about to become homeless for the second time this year, back to back.

2:45 AM on the morning of March fifth, I woke up to loud banging sounds in the hallway. Voices were shouting at each other to wake up, get out, hurry up. I could barely hear them. It was one of those moments that felt like the movie of my life was being filmed in slow motion but the panic intensity was still rushing at full speed. To this day, unexpected crashing sounds and running brings that moment back every time. I don't wish this feeling upon anyone: it precluded the next eight hours of dismal, helpless waiting as neighbors clung to each other watching the blaze of three adjoining buildings, a total of eighteen condo units engulfed in flames and smoke. It was a two-alarm fire beginning in darkness taking us through till mid morning wrapped in Red Cross blankets, clutching bottles of water which somehow made it into our hands."

By 11 AM fire trucks and the Chaplain/ hospital combo tent were beginning to slowly pack up. Fire safety escorts were required to go get our cell phones, but "Kitty,NO! and his sidekick, Murray", my two adopted rescue cats {being fostered for a cousin} were nowhere to be found. It took two entire days before these senior cats could be safely rescued. One can only imagine what heartbreaking anxiety they went through locked alone in the pitch black dampness, dealing with abandonment.

We have not spent a day apart since, even though this has been a costlier route in the long run. FAMILY STAYS TOGETHER.

In life we try to do the right things to secure our future: work hard, save enough for a home, pay it off, and maybe start a family {even if you begin by taking in abandoned cats}. Nobody is ever ready to lose every possession {other than literally the clothes on their back}all to be declared unsalvageable. WE HAVE FAITH THAT OUR HOME INSURANCE WILL BE ENOUGH TO HELP, BUT SADLY THIS IS NOT ALWAYS THE CASE.

For the past five months the cats and I have been biding our time in a tiny one room extended stay hotel room dubbed "the Hotel Shangri-La". Though renovating our building has begun this week, the expected timeframe will be at best six more months of waiting. Unfortunately, THERE ARE BARELY ENOUGH "LOSS OF USE' INSURANCE FUNDS LEFT TO PAY HOUSING THROUGH AUGUST, LET ALONE THROUGH JANUARY OR BEYOND. Between disabilities from a previous elevator crushing in 2006, caring for elderly cats with separation anxieties, and going from the comforts of homr to "the mega armpit of oddness", I find myself in limbo- having an actual place to eventually go makes us unqualified for Delaware's homeless hotel. Housing shortages, limitations for pets, and conditions to rent being tougher than usual have left us in our final hour asking for help.

As I write this letter of hope, asking for a moment of kindness {either through donation, sharing this link on social media, or both} a new set of strangers from across the hall slammed their door, suddenly jolting both cats from peaceful sleep. Kitty,NO! {not his real name} coughed up tummy acid and has crawled into my arms for comfort.

All funds raised will go towards housing and care for the cats, maybe a second cat bed so they won't have to share. THOUGH IT IS EXPENSIVE TO REMAIN HERE AT THE SHANGRI-LA, IT IS SAFE AND WE HAVE NO OTHER PLACE TO GO. We may be all we have to give, but we will do it together.

Thank you in advance for your generosity.

Most Sincerely,

Susan Pickford

Kitty, NO!

& Murray