On the morning of April 27th, everything changed in an instant.

My mom was standing in her kitchen, doing something as simple as looking out the window, when she was met with something no one ever expects to see a wall of fire, already three feet high, racing up the side of her home. In the seconds it took her to turn around and look for the dog, then turn back, the fire had completely taken over.

With no time to think, she did what she has always done, she acted with instinct, courage, and love. She grabbed her dog, ran out the front door, and escaped with nothing but the clothes on her back.

Behind her, the home she had built her life in was being consumed.

Her partner rushed back inside, determined to save my sisters family cat, Jumanji, who was trapped downstairs. He fought through thick, blinding smoke until he physically couldn’t go any further. He had to come back out, empty-handed, not knowing if Jumanji would make it.

When the firefighters arrived, they worked tirelessly to bring the fire under control. Amid the chaos, another crew went in searching—and they found Jumanji. She was unresponsive. Right there, on the scene, firefighters used oxygen and did everything they could to bring her back. Against the odds, they did. In critical condition, she was rushed to the vet by my sister and brother-in-law, who were doing everything possible to save her life.

While all of this was happening, my mom stood there—watching her entire world burn. A lifetime of memories, a home filled with love, reduced to smoke, ash, and uncertainty. Even the items that weren't burnt now covered with water and the smell of ash fill the home.

Once the fire was finally out, she was told she couldn’t go back inside. Everything was gone. The items that didn't burn up in the fire are now ruined. We asked the firefighters if they could go in and try to retrieve just a few things, anything at all. As she stood there in tears, looking at the water flooding the basement, the soot-covered walls, and the devastation of what was once her home, they went back in for her.

Among the few items they were able to find was something that means more to us than words can describe. My father, a firefighter in Richmond Hill, passed away 20 years ago. In the home was his helmet, along with a memorial flag presented to our family in Colorado. The helmet was found covered in dust and chemicals but, the memorial flag box was untouched. Perfect. Preserved. In that moment, through all the loss, it felt like a small miracle. Thanks Papa bear!

My sister, brother-in-law, and nephew, who lived in the basement, thankfully made it out safely as they were not home at the time but, like my mom, they lost everything.

Since that day, we’ve been back to the house. The reality has set in. There is nothing left. Everything is gone.

At 75 years old, my mom is now facing the unimaginable starting over from scratch.

But if you know her, you know this: she is one of the strongest women you will ever meet.

She has spent her entire life putting others before herself. She isn’t just a mother to me, she has been a mother to so many. If you grew up around her, you know exactly what I mean. Her door was always open. Her heart even more so. She has been a source of comfort, advice, laughter, and unconditional support for countless people over the years.

She’s the kind of woman who made every kid in the neighborhood feel special especially on Halloween, where she poured her heart into creating magic just to see smiles on their faces. She never asked for anything in return.

To me, she has always been my hero. She may not have run into burning buildings like my father did, but she did something just as powerful, she raised a family with strength, love, and resilience, and showed me what an incredible woman truly is.

Seeing her now, in this position, is heartbreaking.

Despite everything, there is a small piece of good news—Jumanji survived. Just like my mom, she's a fighter!

Now, we’re asking for help.

There are expenses ahead and that already occurred that she needs help taking care and the long road to rebuilding her life and if there is anything left over, hoping to add an upgrade to the washroom by making a walk in shower.

If my mom has ever touched your life, made you feel welcome, supported you, or simply made you smile, I’m asking you to consider giving back to her now.

Every dollar will go directly toward helping her rebuild, regain stability, and remind her that she is not alone and that the love she has given so freely for so many years is coming back to her when she needs it most.

Thank you for helping us lift up an incredible woman who has spent her life lifting up everyone else.

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