Last night at this time, my daughter and I were out shopping for a Christmas tree and life was peachy keen in just about every aspect.
Life as I knew it changed literally overnight when I was awakened by the screatching beeps of a smoke alarm and the crackling sounds of a fire downstairs.
Within a matter of minutes, nearly every single possession I owned went up in ashes. I'm sitting here now trying to get my wits about me, while pulling together some paperwork, etc. For whatever reason, I felt compelled to take a minute, catch my breath and express some thoughts. Though I am not the most active of posters on this site, I have been a member since Day One, and a lot of guys here have become friends in one way or another. A lot of great, intelligent and interesting guys ? both friends and strangers ? have made this site my most-visited on the internet.
A few thoughts, suggestions and reflections based on what I have experienced over the past 24 hours.
Funny ? yesterday at this time, I had the whole day (today) planned out. Was looking forward to coming home from work, reloading with my book, heading out a friend's house where we gather for games, and rooting on the Bears. From a gambling perspective, I was in heaven, as the college bowl season has always been my favorite time of the year. Though I've been at this my entire adult life, I have never even come remotely close to gambling beyond my means ? yet I did get a tad carried away (all in good fun) during bowl season. As my wife would say, it made up for the fact I don't smoke, rarely drink, and life the simplest of lives.
Today? Just trying to pick up the pieces, start over and move forward.
Never ever take life, and those in your life for granted. Though my life was changed forever, I can still very much thank God today for what I have.
Buckeye!
Life as I knew it changed literally overnight when I was awakened by the screatching beeps of a smoke alarm and the crackling sounds of a fire downstairs.
Within a matter of minutes, nearly every single possession I owned went up in ashes. I'm sitting here now trying to get my wits about me, while pulling together some paperwork, etc. For whatever reason, I felt compelled to take a minute, catch my breath and express some thoughts. Though I am not the most active of posters on this site, I have been a member since Day One, and a lot of guys here have become friends in one way or another. A lot of great, intelligent and interesting guys ? both friends and strangers ? have made this site my most-visited on the internet.
A few thoughts, suggestions and reflections based on what I have experienced over the past 24 hours.
- ALWAYS!!! maintain your smoke alarms. They are DIRT CHEAP, and they can be LIFESAVERS!! NEVER! Assume that it can't happen to you, because I am living proof that it can.
- The fire was electrical. The fire chief insists that the fire started inside the walls and worked its way out. Faulty wiring which never showed any warning signs was the probable cause. If your house is old and your wiring has never been updated, a checkup by an electrician is well worth the money spent.
- ALWAYS KEEP YOUR HOMEONWERS INSURANCE UP-TO-DATE. If you are even slightlly unsure what type of coverage you have, take a few minutes RIGHT NOW to review your policy. What was suitable 10 years ago might be outdated now. I poured thousands of dollars of upgrades / upkeep into my house, both inside and out (Vinyl siding, etc) yet I didn't do a proper job of doing the same to my policy. When all is said and done, I will never come even remotely close to replacing what I had. Much of what was once viewed as a necessity, or was taken for granted, I will now do without.
- Take EXTRA-SPECIAL care of sentimental personal possessions. Right now, I'm not concerned about the televisions, furniture, unwrapped Christmas presents (though losing those sucked bigtime), etc. However, the wife and I are completely devastated by the loss of baby pictures, family Christmas ornaments, old school papers, etc. No way to ever replace those items, which meant the world to the both of us.
- Tell your family how much you love them each and every day. For a few terrifying seconds, I will never be able to express what I was feeling during the moments I didn't receive a response when I screamed for my daughter ? the complete love of my life. Those few seconds, and the feeling I had afterwards when I knew she was safe, makes it much easier to accept the fact I have lost thousands and thousands of dollars worth of materialistic items.
Funny ? yesterday at this time, I had the whole day (today) planned out. Was looking forward to coming home from work, reloading with my book, heading out a friend's house where we gather for games, and rooting on the Bears. From a gambling perspective, I was in heaven, as the college bowl season has always been my favorite time of the year. Though I've been at this my entire adult life, I have never even come remotely close to gambling beyond my means ? yet I did get a tad carried away (all in good fun) during bowl season. As my wife would say, it made up for the fact I don't smoke, rarely drink, and life the simplest of lives.
Today? Just trying to pick up the pieces, start over and move forward.
Never ever take life, and those in your life for granted. Though my life was changed forever, I can still very much thank God today for what I have.
Buckeye!
