Jim Needs Our Help Fire Fund

The heartbreak started months before the fire, when my 67 yr-old mom called and said she had lost her vision and was feeling really sick. My sister took her to the hospital, but couldn’t accompany her in, due to COVID. Later that evening the doctor phoned and said that mom needed immediate brain surgery due to a large pituitary tumor, which had caused her to lose her sight. During surgery they had also found two brain aneurysms. Mom had made it through surgery but was in ICU on a respirator. Additional testing later revealed that mom’s tumor was a very aggressive form of cancer. The doctors said she was too weak for treatment. My siblings and I were devastated by this news.

Mom never woke from her surgery, and although we were allowed one brief visit, my mother died alone in that hospital. The thought of it still haunts us.

Mom left the care of her little dog, Moxie, to me. He was a tiny dog with big health issues, requiring daily shots for diabetes and Cushing’s disease, and intense care as he was blind. My landlord would not allow me to keep Moxie, so I had to find a new place to live. My Mom’s landlord said that I had one month to move my mother’s precious belongings from her apartment, which totally overwhelmed me. This was at the height of the pandemic. I felt isolated and had no energy to sort through mom’s things. Luckily, I found a reasonable place to rent that would fit me, Moxie, and mom’s memories.

Moxie became my best friend, as he was the only company, I had due to COVID. He honestly kept me from losing my mind. Taking care of him became a way for me to love my mother.

4 months later Moxie’s health became more fragile. The news was grim. I brought him to the vet and held him until he took his last breath. I know he’s with my mon now, but losing mom and Moxie breaks my heart every day.

Over the last few months, I felt I had adapted to the vast silence one feels when they lose a loved one, and the utter unpredictably of life, when on the morning of January 31st, I was jarred from sleep by a loud pounding on my door and someone screaming, “Get out, the house is on fire!”

It was the coldest morning of the year, and along with the other residents, I stood outside, shivering, watching the fire fighters trying to save our home. Unfortunately, it was a total loss. The blaze gutted the top floor and the smoke and water damage destroyed the rest.  I was in shock, I had left my phone in the apartment so I couldn’t call anyone. I’ll never forget the sight of the flames consuming my life.

The firefighters, which I’m so grateful for, saved as much as they could. One firefighter was hospitalized fighting the blaze. I’m happy to say he is safe at home recovering.

Well, just when I thought I had made it through a big new beginning, life is requiring me to start all over again. It’s dead winter, we’re in the middle of a pandemic, and I’m on unemployment until, May. I’ve begun my search for a new home, but do not have the funds for 1st months rent, last and security deposit…  and moving costs again. I’m really having a hard time asking for help but, as my grandmother said, “Never be too proud to ask for help when you need it.” So, here I am asking for help from family, friends and even strangers who do not know me. I appreciate each one of you and thank you for being here for me in my time of need.

Sincerely,

Jim Herdeck