The Broadview Burning

On Sunday evening my family and I not only lost a house but we lost our life-long home. They always say, "Life gives his toughest battles to his strongest soldiers," and I assumed my dad overcoming cancer last year was the battle beat...and unfortunately, I was wrong. Around 9:40pm Sunday night, my girlfriend and I were at my families home in Broadview Heights, OH when we heard what sounded like gunshots surrounding the entire garage. I ran to my bedroom where my girlfriend was and yelled that we needed to get out because, at the time, I assumed somebody was trying to break in. All whilst my dog was relentlessly barking at the garage . Without instinct, we ran. Although I wanted to lead us to safety, my priority was to protect her safety. So as shes running to the front, I stopped at the man-door to the garage and unlocked it and before I could open it, the pressure on the outside of it blew the door open and filled the entire home with smoke. My girlfriend, who back-tracked to get me, and I were standing face to face with fire.  The nature of the beast was beyond me. My girlfriend, savior of a dog , and I ran through the front door to see our home in flames. My families home was crumbling before me. Memories, sentiments, ALL our belongings, and even my sisters wedding dress was turning to ashes. We were left with nothing but the clothes on our backs. So as much as I don't want a pity-party or ask for a helping hand, this isn't about me. This is about my parents. My parent's have worked so hard their entire lives to provide for us and were the first to give the shirts off their back that I hope somebody out there can help give back to them. So please, anybody who can donate or help in some way, my family and I would appreciate it. Hands can build a house but hearts build a home.