What the difference a year makes...

a year ago this weekend my family and I were trying to piece back together our lives after the apartment fire. The fire was on Monday March 3rd, 2008 and by this time we had been given most of the furniture in our apartment and were well on our way. I still remember how the kids felt (as well as DH and I) since we had not been able to go into the apartment to see what we could salvage.

Now a year later things are normal.. the kids didn't even realize that it had been a year. We didn't remind them of it we said a prayer of thanks and realize how far He has brought us. I can still remember where things were in the living room and etc. Sometimes I walk into a room to look for something and then remember.. that was before.

Take a moment and hug your family and be thankful for what you have. You can't take for granted that they or the things you have will always be there.

Noel

I was the victim of a house fire in September, 1999.  It is amazing how the loss continues to haunt you.  I go to pick up something that I remember should be among certain things and then remember that it burned up.  However, I have replaced most of my belongings.

What was awful was that this year I experienced theft of most of what was left that was precious to me.

All I can say is that I remember the Bible quote about how one cannot store riches on earth, but our riches are in heaven.  I have certainly learned that there really is no way to make sure that what you have you will keep, so I now enjoy what I have and don't "save" things. 

I am sorry about your fire.  I hope that your replacement stuff is even better than what you lost and that you are enjoying each and every day with it.  Of course, there is nothing that is as great as the fact that none of your family were lost.  I guess everything but that can be replaced.

For us it wasn't about stuff or the things we had. At the time you block out all the little things and those are the ones you miss. Its not about the TV or etc but the Christmas ornaments that the children made since starting school, my grandmother's dresser that she gave me after getting married, the rag doll I had since 6.

I'm not down in the dumps over it by any means. My family and I have experienced so many changes this year - my surgery among other challenges. My favorite passage continues to comfort me regardless of the situation - Romans 5:3-5.

Noel