Facebook friends and friends of friends,

This is the home where I used to spend most of my summers since I was 7 years old. This is what a large portion of my aunt Rosita's and uncle Carlos's (and my cousins) 300+ year old home looks like as of Christmas Eve. On December 24 at 4:30am my cousins woke up to their home ablaze(everyone is safe). It is registered as one of Durango, Mexico's historic homes. From what we know at this time the fire has annihilated a bathroom, the entire kitchen, the dining room, a storage area, and an outdoor patio area.   

This home holds such history and love.  My aunt and uncle raised a large family in this home....my cousin Carlos, Rosita chiquita, Alfredo, Sergio, Gustavo, Juan, Liliana, Gilberto, and Adrian. They and this home were 'larger' than that, larger than their immediate family. Their hearts welcomed in aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, and friends of friends. My aunt and uncle welcomed me countless  summers-trouble and all. My uncle Carlos used to sneak in the front door with a small brown bag, show me the pineapple empanadas he knew he shouldn't have, and he'd share one with me and then show me where he hid the bag. My Aunt was more like my second grandmother and acted more as a loving disciplinarian---better said, she tried her best to keep my out of trouble.  Although they have passed...my aunt Rosita, the beloved matriarch of the family,  just died this year at 83 years old...many of my cousins remain in this beautiful ancestral home.

There is much work to be done to rebuild to the standards of a historic home in Durango. One of my cousins (Carlos) is an architect and will be able to help in that regard, but right now my cousins would benefit from immediate monetary help. I'm setting up this go fund me page for them in hopes of raising some money that would help them get through the holidays and possibly help them initiate the rebuilding process. 

I know this is not your family. These are not your friends. This is not your home or your mothers/aunts/relatives home. I know it's Christmas time, we're in the middle of a pandemic, and money is tight. This is my family, these are my cousins, and this is a home that is filled with magical memories for me and for so many of my family members. I hope the bond of family ties and love...and sometimes tragedy... resonates with you and that you will consider donating whatever you can to support strangers to you, but family to me. Prayers and virtual love are also appreciated. 
Thank you for taking the time to read this,
Hugs and love,
Xochitl

link to the news and video of fire   ://fb.watch/2C_FlS3Pli/