Mar 25 2003

Burning Down the House

Published by at 8:55 am under Uncategorized

The family curse is doing just fine, thank you.

While I was flying home from Boston on the 18th, and my stepmother, Margaret, was visiting her cousin in sunny Palm Springs, Margaret’s house burned down.

Fortunately, no-one was hurt, and the house was properly insured, but all her clothes are gone, along with my father’s study and the personal things of his which Margaret chose to keep. How grateful I am now that she insisted on my taking with me or shipping all of his remaining things last Fall! If I had left them there, they would be dust and ashes, as he is. Little did I imagine that when I left that familiar house just five months ago that I would never see it again.

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5 responses so far

5 Responses to “Burning Down the House”

  1. # Amberon 25 Mar 2003 at 9:06 am

    oh. my. god. How is she doing? How are YOU doing?

    How did it happen? Its so tragic and awful. That is my worse nightmare come true, I can’t imagine what you guys must be feeling right. I’m so sorry. Can I do anything to help? Donate something? Anything?

    *hugs*

  2. # Kathleenon 25 Mar 2003 at 9:30 am

    Oh, Suzy! I’m so sorry to hear that. I’m with Amber, that is my worst nightmare. Poor Margaret. Thank heaven for insurance, although it doesn’t replace memories.

    Please let me know if I can do anything.

    *hugs*

  3. # Jenniferon 25 Mar 2003 at 9:49 am

    How horrendous! I’m so glad that no-one was hurt. Please letl us know if we can help.

  4. # Suzyon 25 Mar 2003 at 10:36 am

    Thanks, you guys. I really appreciate your kind thoughts. There isn’t anything anyone can do, really. She’s staying in one of the flats she rents out and has her son and his family nearby.

    She’s a very strong lady. When I talked to her yesterday she was brave, but it has to be tough to lose your home of more than 40 years, and all the memories that go with it. She’s going to re-build it and already has plans for how she wants it to be! She says, “One must get on with it.”

    I didn’t think it was possible for me to admire her more, but guess what?

  5. # LisaBon 25 Mar 2003 at 11:11 am

    wow, what a horrible thing to have happen…. to lose all those irreplacable treasures. Amazing that she is able to look on the bright side, I think I’d be a mess! Thank god no one was hurt. I hope she can rebuild quickly and that the new home is a dream come true for her.