Rebuild After Fire: A Home of 19 Years Lost

Dear family, friends, and colleagues,

On Sunday, December 29th, what started as a beautiful day celebrating my 58th birthday, ended as the day I will be starting my life over. My house caught fire and it is a total loss. I bought this house in August 2005. I have lived here 19 years. It was Mark's home too. He lived here 12 years, the longest he lived at any one address. His ashes were scattered across the backyard 3 years ago.

Also happening 3 years ago, my insurance carrier dropped me and pulled out of Florida. I have since replaced my roof, installed all new windows, and a new HVAC system; but haven't been able to find a company that is writing new policies for 'older homes'. So, unfortunately, I do not have insurance.

The past 72 hours have been a nightmare. Most everything in the house is gone or ruined beyond use. There is just a solid layer of black soot.

I have never experienced anything like this. We face hurricanes each year and we prepare. We have tornado warnings, freeze warnings, and flood warnings. But there is no preparation for a fire. You have only 2 minutes to get out! I can attest, I am blessed to be safe, unhurt, and alive. 2 minutes! From the time my smoke detectors started beeping to running outside with my phone in hand, trying to dial 911, was a blink. There is popping and snapping everywhere, glass is shattering, the electric is off so it is dark, but the smoke makes it so you cannot see anything. All I could do was cover my nose and mouth and leave it all behind. I didn't have time to grab my purse, or car keys. It's not the fire that kills people, it is the smoke. I can smell it as I type this. The Firemen retrieved my purse and keys. I am thankful my car was not damaged.

I was within 2 years of having my mortgage paid off. I need to research my options. I hope to secure a new loan and rebuild. This will be a long while. I wasn't planning to start a mortgage at this age; I was planning to retire and travel full-time in 4 years.

I am asking for help. Anything you can offer right now will be greatly appreciated. My priority is to find a permanent place to stay for the next 9 months or so. With funds raised, I will secure a place to stay, however, eventually I will need essentials such as linens, kitchen items, TV, a sofa, and a desk.

Your generosity will not be taken for granted. I will be the Phoenix who rises from the ashes. I am not going to let this stop me from my goals. I recognize the blessings I have received in my life and I am grateful. I have always believed in fate and know there is a reason this happened, even if I don't know what that reason is...yet.