When I woke up this morning, I received an email from one of my friends here at ActiveRain. She pointed me to Melissa Grant's post, There is no place like home for the Holidays...My Story. I had not previously read Melissa's blog, but I am so thankful that I read this post. A few minutes ago, I hung up from speaking with Melissa. I have her permission to share her story with you.
Here is the first paragraph of her post: (Please click the link above to read the entire pos
t.)
"On Saturday December 8, 2007 while myself and kids were home a fire started from an extension cord shorting out in my 15 year old son's room. It took out his entire bedroom part of our living room and the home now suffers smoke damage. Thankfully, I had not left yet. I was getting ready to leave to meet my husband in town to do some family Christmas shopping. I was frustrated because every-time I would try to leave something happened. Like, my youngest who didn't want to put shoes on, or the telephone would ring. Perhaps it was divine intervention, I think I will always believe that. Finally, the last call was my mother, whom I told I was running late in frustration and would call her from my cell in the car when I smelled smoke. I walked to the far end of the house where I seen the smoke billowing from the seams of my son's bedroom door. Something at that very moment seemed to take over me. It was like my mind and body went on auto-pilot. All I remember is getting the kids out of the home while calling 911. I shut down the main circuit breaker to our home. I grabbed a fire extinguisher and unloaded it. I then ran back and forth with pots and pans full of water. I continued to do this until the fire department arrived. The next thing I remember is coming to with an oxygen mask feeling extremely dazed and confused. I was told when a firefighter entered the home he called my name, he said I turned and looked at him almost with relief and then passed out."
As I read about the fire that destroyed part of Melissa's home and forced her family into a hotel for Christmas, my heart was moved with compassion. Having myself experienced a fire in my home on Christmas Eve 2005, I am keenly aware of the devastating impact on everyone...especially children. Melissa has three children: Joshua (15), Grace (7) and Cole (6).
According to Melissa, the children are experiencing so many different emotions...fear, loss and anxiety. The fire began in Joshua's room, and he lost everything. Grace and Cole are too young to fully understand the situation, but they are worried that Santa won't be able to find them to bring them Christmas this year. Grace is also expressing her sadness by lashing out at those around her. She has so many emotions inside her little heart and head. I remember how each of my girls reacted differently to the fire in our home.
How many of you (who are reading this) are parents? Have you ever watched your children suffer loss and grief? Does it break your heart as much as it breaks mine to think of Grace and Cole asking how Santa will find them to bring them Christmas this year? What about Joshua? He is 15 years old, and he has lost ALL his worldly possessions. I am an adult, and I shudder at that thought...he is just a boy. Most of their Christmas gifts were lost in the fire.
WILL YOU PLEASE GIVE CHRISTMAS BACK TO THESE CHILDREN THIS YEAR?
There are 61,839 members of ActiveRain (as of right this minute). IF everyone gave one dollar...$1...less than the cost of a cup of coffee...it would change their situation immediately. I know that everyone will not give one dollar...because this post will not reach all 61,839 people. In fact, many people will read this and move on without giving it a second thought.
Melissa shared with me that they do have insurance, but it will not cover the replacement cost. They will be facing a tremendous amount of out-of-pocket expense. Can you place yourself in Melissa's shoes? Can you imagine what she, and her family, are feeling and experiencing? Remember..."There, but for the grace of God...go I." This tragedy could have happened to any one of us. It did happen to me on Christmas Eve 2005.
WHAT CAN WE DO TO HELP THIS FAMILY?
There are three things that each of us can do to help Melissa and her family to get through this difficult time.
1) Please pray for their family. (When I asked Melissa what they needed immediately...she said "prayers". I promised her that I would ask her ActiveRain family for prayer support.)
2) Please call Melissa on her cell phone to offer her your shoulder. (She has very limited access to the internet. She will not be checking her ActiveRain profile. However, you can reach her on her cell @ (931)210-8277.)
3) IF you wish to make a donation (of any amount) to help this family...please contact me. Elizabeth@ElizabethNieves.com or (919)749-3749. (Can you spare $10 to help this family? Individually...$10 will not accomplish much. Together...we can make a HUGE difference!)
Before hanging up with Melissa, I asked her about her children's favorite things. Joshua (15) loves music...especially Johnny Cash and Waylan Jennings. Grace (7) loves Hannah Montana and Hello Kitty. Cole (6) is crazy about Spongebob Square Pants. I will be putting together an individual package for each of the children this week...with some of their favorite things. I want to send them a strong and personal message that they are NOT ALONE...that Santa (and God) will not have any problem finding them...that they WILL have CHRISTMAS this year! I'd like to spend $50 on each child. Any money we receive above and beyond that will go to help with the out-of-pocket expenses associated with the fire.
Please make donations payable to:
The Elizabeth Nieves Realty Group (Note in the memo: Melissa Grant Fire Relief Fund)
2223 NC Hwy 54E Suite J. Durham, NC 27713
THANK YOU, IN ADVANCE, FOR HELPING MELISSA AND HER FAMILY!!!
(Please help me get the word out by passing this post along to everyone you know at ActiveRain.)
UPDATE: I have set up a PayPal account. IF you wish to donate by using PayPal...use my email address Elizabeth@ElizabethNieves.com. Thanks so much!!
Written and Posted by:
Elizabeth Nieves - Broker, REALTOR® -- The Elizabeth Nieves Realty Group @ Keller Williams (A Bilingual Real Estate Team serving Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill NC and surrounding areas.)
Visit our website at http://www.elizabethnieves.com
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