Last Thursday is a day I will never forget. The girls and I were at my mom’s house playing around when my sister called, hysterical. She screamed “My house is gone. There’s nothing left. The babies (her pets) were in there.”

Are you and Rich okay? What? How? Huh?

I drove home, frantically packed a suitcase, and called Brad to meet me at the house so I could leave for the airport. My mom and I took the first flight available to Virginia Beach and were there by evening.

This is what my sister and brother in law’s beautiful house looked like before the fire:

And this is what it has become:

A pile of nothing. The houses on either side of their’s were destroyed as well.

They lost everything. In an unpredictable instant. Nothing, absolutely nothing is salvageable.

Tragically, their beloved pets were killed in the fire.

Sweet Lucy and Murray:

Quinn:

And Henry:

Their pets weren’t just animals to them. They were an integral part of their family. Beloved and treasured.

The Virginia Beach Fire Department has not determined what caused the fire. But it was fast and furious. It took firefighters 70 minutes to bring the fire under control. The heat index outside was 105 degrees.

No one was in any of the three houses when they caught on fire and thankfully there weren’t any heat related injuries to the firefighters. One firefighter suffered a minor hand injury but she is okay.

I spent the past four days with my sister and brother-in-law in Virginia. I watched them as the horrifying reality sank in. I am absolutely heartbroken for them. Despite the obvious pain, I know they feel incredibly humbled and grateful toward others. Strangers and friends have been so genuinely concerned and kind to them. Others have donated clothing and toiletries, purchased a night a hotel, given money so they can begin to rebuild their life, provided grocery store gift cards, and more. Not to mention the compassionate hugs, prayers, notes, and donations to the local SPCA in honor of their pets. I have seen God’s blessings abound in this tragedy.

If you would like to read more about Amanda, here is the blog she has started to keep everyone updated. And if you would like to make a donation in honor of Lucy, Murray, Quinn, and Henry, you may do so here.

I thank God neither Amanda nor Rich was in that house when the fire started. When I got home late last night, I snatched my girls out of their beds and clung to them for dear life. Last Thursday was a clear reminder that nothing on this earth is permanent.

With love,

Jenny