This is what remains of my childhood friend of 45 years, home. She, along with her caretaker and family, and another recent boarder they had taken in lost everything they owned. The house had been in her family for generations and parts of it dated back to the 1800's where it started as a rough hewn cabin. The rest of the house grew up around Rose Madder-like until it was a sprawling resort type home. One original wall of the log cabin remained uncovered in the family room and you could see what the house had originated from. It was fascinating, really.
During one such remodeling effort with the addition of a jacuzzi type tub and elaborate Master Bathroom when we were both just mouthy teenagers- We had made fun of the fact her Mom and Dad had installed French Doors right there in the bathroom onto the deck. Just right there in front of the commode. It seemed outlandish...even though the woods and a privacy fence obscured any view. Sniggers of
"Maybe they just want a throne-side view"
filled that summer.
This week...Bob and JoAnn got the last laugh...were vindicated...and perhaps a silent prayer of thanks from both of us...post humously and 45 years too late.
The fire began in the middle of the house. Dry as kindling it was completely engulfed in minutes. Pam was trapped in the Master Bedroom by heavy smoke and flames. Smoke so dark and thick you couldn't see your hand in front of your face. She held onto her Pekinese and slowly made her way toward the corner where the bath was...
If it weren't for those gaudy...ridiculous...doors, my friend would have been found dead with the remains of her dog, right there in the back of the house.
As it were...everyone in the house made it outside through various exits. She and her caretaker and two fire fighters were treated for smoke inhalation...but overall unharmed. When the flames were finally subdued over 3 hours later she had lost everything she owned...for 56 years. Every photo of every relative except for those she had posted to Facebook. Three birds and two cats who did not escape the fire. Many generations of stuff. Grandfather clocks and items from pre-WWII Japan...antique everything and her grandmother's china and linens.
Look around your own home. Now try to imagine every item you have ever bought or inherited- gone.
The American Red Cross was amazing...providing immediate shelter for all of them...a rental car and even clothing as they start to shake off the haze and realize they all have to start over completely. I really can't say enough good things about their organization and how quickly they arrived at the scene.
We spent most of the day Sunday together at the hotel. And she realizes how nothing matters except that their little group made it out alive. By the end of the evening she looked at me dead-panned and said
"Well...you've always KNOWN how much I hate to clean house."
and I hugged her crying and remarked
"Well, maybe it wasn't such a STUPID place for those doors, after all."
Before the Fire
The back...where she was...after.
