I was listening to a gentleman who had his daughter killed and developed MS all within 2 years, when someone asked him, "Do you ever get angry, and want to just die?" to which he replied, "No, this precious life is like a wonderful novel, that I am hanging onto everyday to see what the next page, next chapter brings". I love that!
On the 27th of December 2008 my parents house burned down, my childhood home that was built by them in 1972 . We called 911 but due to a series of blunders and weather related issues, it took 45 min for any water to get onto the house--and by that time it was in full flame. My mom and I sat in their car watching the house they built, many years before, and all the memories-- of children running up and down stairs, bikes ridden fast around the corners to the music of the "six million dollar man" vibrating from our lips, tears that were spilled and laughter that rang out over the years--those now damp walls held all the sounds of growing up.
As the flames licked up the clothes hanging on a rack in the sun room we had to look at each other and make a decision to ask God to turn this horrible situation around make something beautiful out of it.
He was faithful, as the prayer escaped our lips--a feeling of peace enveloped us both and we knew that even in the storm, He was there and all was going to be alright.
Our family enveloped us with their love and open arms, they arrived early the next day at the burnt out home with clothes, food, money, tears & hugs. The most amazing thing happens in a crises, you learn how much you need your family, they are your history--and as my mother always said growing up "Blood is thicker than water". I have never felt such a wonderful outpouring of love and affection by people who genuinely wanted to help and hold us in the storm.
We now have my parents re-located to Creston, BC in a lovely 3 story Creston home which they are starting to "settle in" and love. My parents are 82 & 83 years old, and although they are young for their age, it is traumatic to be re-located and have their schedules so dis-jointed. But God is so awesome and I am grateful He can see all and know all. The fact that we were there when the fire broke out, and were able to get them to safety, a miracle in itself, as we were suppose to be gone the morning of the fire at 7am. The second miracle was I had asked my mom for a little bird, for a wreath I had finished the day before, and looking up at it out of the blue, I felt it needed a small bird tucked in the roses. She went into the sun room--which was off the living room behind vertical binds and a sliding glass door, to retrieve the little bird, she had put out there months before. As she was coming out, something made her look up--there was no smoke, no sound she heard, but a quick flash caught her eye--fire! She ran in to the living room, where we all were and within seconds we called 911 and were outside, with little more than the clothes on our backs. The attic was filled with fire, which was raging up over head, unbeknown to us. As we were exiting the lights were popping off and we lost lighting, making it impossible to see our way with the exception we had years of experience of those stairs, those walls, those doors.
We are all here to live another year, we have been blessed with another chance to share God's love, wipe a tear from a loved one, and extend a arm for support for someone who needs it. My prayer for 2009 is there will be less fear and more love, less pride and more compassion, less of me and more of Him.
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