Helping Susan Rise from the Ashes After Devastating Fire

Dear Friends, Family, and Supporters,

Our beloved Susan (your friend, sister, aunt, nana, my mother) recently experienced a devastating fire that stole her home, her fur babies, her independence, and her cherished memories.

Many of you have asked how you can help, and this GoFundMe campaign is our way of allowing you to support her directly as she begins to rebuild her life. These funds will help Susan rebuild her home, replace essential items, and cover immediate living expenses as she recovers from this immense loss.

Speaking personally, I don't know how to help her heal from something so profound. I've been working diligently on my own healing and character growth, so how am I supposed to help her heal? How can I hold her up through this? She's the one that taught me resilience and how to hold quiet strength and humble dignity. She's the example of sacrificial giving – of her time, energy, affection, and resources. She's the one that never stops being vulnerable, never stops being hopeful, never stops praying, never stops, period.

Then I thought of something she has said to me in more than a few "challenging" times in my life: "Tomorrow is a new day, a fresh start," and (always while hugging me tightly) "I love you."

So I've been writing this for days, struggling to put into words what this fire stole from her: her independence and sense of security, the heartbreak of losing her fur babies, the devastation of a lifetime of collected sentimental things that represent her memories, her joys, her heartaches, her journey.

But her journey is not over, and today is the start of tomorrow's new day. So if the Good Lord's willing and the creek don't rise, I know she will rise from these ashes with new wings.

I want to apologize for taking so long to set up this campaign. While trying to write a compelling letter, I've come to a sort of reassurance – a reminder that I am not able, nor are any of us able, to "heal" her or fix or change anything that has happened. What we can do is support her now, hold her tightly, and surround her with love, just like she has always done for each of us.

Sometimes the most beautiful things come from the most broken places...

And Susan Rae Ashby (aka Mama, aka Nana)... You are beautiful! And you are so loved!

Every bit of support, whether financial or by prayer or otherwise, will make a profound difference to Susan as she navigates this challenging time.

Thank you for your love, prayers and support.

~ but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. {Isaiah 40:31 (NIV)}

~ not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us. {Romans 5:3-5}