Sunday, November 7, 2010

Traumatizing

The apartment building across from ours caught fire today.  It was a horrific sight, and the worst part about it is the fact that my favorite neighborhood girls lived in it.  Their apartment burst into flames and the roof caved in after the fire started on the floor below theirs.  The most horrible feeling for me was the fact that they tried calling me for help while we were downtown this afternoon.  The girls were in tears, and there was nothing I could do, except have my husband speed back to the apartments.  I can't even describe the scene that I saw.  It looked like the worst light show ever, with all the different fire trucks, ambulances, and police cars all lit up.  No one could have ever asked for a worse day. 
My husband got us back as soon as he could.  When we arrived, I went straight to yelling for the girls.  I found them and they were in shock.  How can you explain to a high school child that everything that they own and all of the materialistic memorabilia that holds any kind of memory, is burning and they will never see again.  That is the first thing they said.
I told them, this evening, that God gave us special places in our minds that hold those thoughts of the memories and the feelings are held in our heart.  God doesn't want us to only have things that are materialistic that hold meaning.  Otherwise, He wouldn't have made us the way He did.  I also gave them the invitation to my closet, which I know they will be raiding tomorrow.  It is a good feeling to know that I am needed by other people, besides my family.  But even with my little family, I have my hands full.  I am so thankful that God is able to use me, even in the worst of situations.  I really feel as though He put the words into my mouth, so that I could at least give a little bit of comfort during such an uncomfortable time.

3 comments:

  1. How awful for them but how wonderful that you were there, offering up your closet. I'm sure that's a memory they'll hold on to in this tragic time.

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  2. Oh, that's horrible! :( It's such a good thing that they have you to help though!

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  3. It is a horrifying thing to witness. When we were in Australia we saw someone's home burn to the ground. At least they have your support at this tragic time.

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