My friend Laurie June and her husband Don have been laid off from their jobs since Feb.  Now they lost their home to a lightning strike.  Laurie has been a friend since we were teens, my sisters’ best friend, almost a part of our family.  She, my sister Lezli and I shared a house when we were in our twenties.  Now I’m in Oregon and Laurie’s in Northern Minnesota and my heart is heavy with wanting to help.  I finally talked and cried with Laurie today.  This is so devastating. 

As Laurie June and Don lay asleep in their bed, at 2:00 am on Thursday, July 9th, lightning struck the cabin. This was a big, loud lightning storm but this strike shook the foundation. Laurie soon smelled something and when she opened the bedroom door, she saw smoke. She woke Don and as they went upstairs, they noticed the lake side of the cabin was in flames. Calling 911 in Palisade means volunteer fire fighters must get woken out of sleep and get to the fire.  Penny, the 4 year old Goldendoodle and 15 year old Kizzie the cat were gathered up quickly.  As Don and Laurie June watched their home burn, Laurie called 911 again. “They're taking forever “!  The operator responded, “You called 6 minutes ago.” The firefighters were amazing, but their home was gone. Five generations of extended family have lived, played, and celebrated there. Laurie’s dad, uncles and grandfather built it in 1957.  It has been Laurie and Don’s home for years.  Humans and animals are safe, thank heaven!  Everything else is gone. Family heirlooms, photos, grandma’s piano, mom’s ashes. And then the day to day needs like clothes, dishes, electronics, important papers … all gone.  Humans, dog and cat are in a travel trailer across the street now.  Neighbors bring food and share 63 years of memories. 

Both Don and Laurie haven’t worked since Feb, pandemic layoffs. Finances get tight!  Laurie has been a flight attendant for 42 years and hoped she’d be back to work soon. She and Don had planned on it, but she finally decided to start filling out paperwork for her retirement later this year.  The paperwork is extensive and was about to be submitted.  All of it is now ashes, filing papers, birth certificates, passport, etc., gone. Any income may be delayed by months.  Don and Laurie are still in shock, not sure what they’ll do next, but needing clothes, tools, and other essentials.

Laurie is one of the most wonderful humans I know! She uses humor to get through everything, and she’s funny beyond belief!  She is also loving and fiercely devoted to her family and friends. When my family has needed her, she has always been there!  I hope and pray you’ll help us to now lift her up just a little. 

Some of us can't donate much, but add just $10 or $5 if that's what works for you, and donate anonymously if you'd like.  It's the number of people who help that counts.           

  ~Love to all of you