Tragedy....

Tragedy stuck Susie last night. Her house burned to the ground. She lost everything that was in the house except her dog, laptop, camera and their handguns. I can't believe that she thought to grab the guns...I probably would have grabbed shoes! She was so calm, almost too calm. She called Mom saying she needed to talk to someone because her house was on fire. Mom called me and told me what was going on and I insisted that I go up there with them. We all met at the hockey store and got to Kamas as soon as we could. It felt like an eternity to us and her. They talked to the fire department and they allowed us down her street to get to her. They had it completely blocked off because it was so bad. I will never forget the feeling of cresting the hill by her house and seeing the massive clouds of smoke. It was surreal and scary at the same time. When we pulled down her street she was standing there in her pj's (thank goodness she had a coat in her car) watching her life burn. It was heartbreaking. You hear of the word and meaning of heartbreak but other than a death I hadn't felt it until last night. What do you say to someone in a time like this? Well, me, I hugged her and told her she stinks! What a thing to say! But she did because the house had filled with smoke so quickly. On my way to meet Mom and Dad I called Mandi and Troy. Troy called John, his employee, that lives nearby and he went to check on her. They wouldn't let him down the street but he could see the damage and could talk to people to make sure everyone was ok. I feel really bad for Will's parents. Will's Dad grew up in that house, his Mother had grown up there and died there and now he had to watch it burn. Thank goodness they had gotten most of their momentos and photos out prior to the fire. They did loose some painting from the master bedroom but at least nobody was hurt. I am so glad his parents were right there to help Susie. I cant help but think....what it the fire would have broke out after she went to bed? We could have lost her. I feel sick thinking about it. Susie hadn't moved everything to her new house yet....which was a blessing. Her scrapbooks, childhood memories and cedar chest were still at Mom and Dads. She also still had some clothes there. She will probably always think back to something she lost and want it but we are just so glad she is ok. Will isn't doing ok. He is stuck in Ohio and can't get home. The earliest he can get home is Sunday. I can't imagine the feeling of knowing your house is on fire and being so far away. Mom and Mandi took Susie back up there today (I brought her down the canyon and to Mom and Dad's for the night). I am on pins and needles waiting to hear from them....