Starting Over with Hope after Hurricane Helene Destruction

I was uncertain about starting this fundraiser but I want to share my story.

I recently decided to move back to my home state of Florida. I went through so much red tape to move back and move all of my life long belongings with me. I moved into a rental home on Sept 16th and was settling in, getting ready to start a new chapter in my life. Ten days later, Hurricane Helene decided to damage many homes. The flood waters ravished and destroyed everything in the house in almost 6 feet of water. I lost everything. All of the furniture, electronics, any and every household thing you can think of could not be saved. I don't even have any shoes and my friend was able to give me a pair of his shoes throughout this ordeal. I lost all of my vintage and special collectibles. What has been most heartbreaking for me is the loss of all of my photos and all memories tied to my mom and dad and grandparents. Even my parents' ashes were under water. I currently have a grocery bag holding the few pieces of clothing that I have with me and staying with friends. Even all of my daily essentials were ruined so I'm starting to get my toiletries and find some normalcy if even for a moment. I am truly having to start over and not even sure of my next step other than needing to find a place to live and getting the necessities to get on my feet again. It's been very traumatic and heartbreaking but I'm grateful for friends that are giving me a place to sleep and food to eat. Because this is so humbling and I struggled about this, I have decided that if I exceed my goal in this fundraiser, I will pay it forward and help someone else that is in need.