Thursday, May 28, 2009

Change

Change is always hard even if you want it.  My life and the life of my family took a drastic and unexpected turn on Tuesday about 1:00 a.m.  In the middle of the night, my sister called to tell me that my Dad and Sara's house was on fire.  My step-brother Michael was living with them, woke to pee and realized the house was on fire.  They had to get out pretty quickly.  They were literally standing in their yard watching their house burn down in their underwear.  My parents built this house and we moved in when I was five years old.  We learned sometime in the last couple of days that the house will be a total loss.  It will be bulldozed down.  It is hard to believe.  I have many, many, wonderful memories in that house.  Peter, the kids and I were here within about 26 hours of that call.  It has been good to be with my family and see the house for myself.  While many things are destroyed, some of the antique furniture is going to be able to be restored.  It looks like most of the pictures survived.  I am glad for some remnants.

I have a wide range of emotions from relief that they are okay to extreme sadness for the loss.  I don't really know how to describe my thoughts at this point.  It is a lot like a death.  It is very permanent.  It just can't be undone.  I think the loss with hit me in a million different ways and it will be with me forever.  

I can see God's hand all along the way.  I see Him working and moving all through this.  I think this will be an amazing part of His work in our hearts.  We will know Him more because this happened and that is beautiful.  I am sure that I will process this more in the days and weeks to come.  I am a either numb or crying.  I did get some sleep for the first time last night and I feel a little more normal, today.

Many of you have called or e-mailed me.  My cell does not work so great out here in the country.  Many of you have asked what you can do or what we need.  Thank you for even asking.  We need your prayers because this is hard.  I need you to show me grace.  I just can't even respond to your calls and e-mails at times.  However, your comments, calls and e-mails mean so much to me.  Please keep them coming and know that I love you even if I don't respond.  I will need you to listen at some point.  I have about enough emotional energy to do the minimum right now.

We will be down here through the weekend.  We are taking a little down time today and going swimming.  We are all very happy about that.  

Thanks for loving me.  It is a refection of our sweet Lord's face.  I need that. 

7 comments:

amy said...

you said "pee"...
hee hee

you are in our prayers!!!

the Jennings secede from the South said...

I have been praying for you all-I know how difficult this must be. Remember "Our Home" and "Our Treasure" are all with Christ.

. said...

Melanie,
Amanda and I are praying for you, Harry and your entire family.
We love you,
A and A

Anonymous said...

Praying lots for your family! Hope to hug your neck while you're here.
Love,
Meredith

Andi said...

love you, love you & still praying.

Anonymous said...

Bill and I are praying for you, Melanie, and for your dad. I know Peter will be able to help and the kids will look back on this and see the grace the Lord has given you as you witness for Him.
We love you,

Maryhelen and Bill

Davina Perret said...

I talked with your dad this morning at the Plains and couldn't believe that the house burned down! So glad everyone is OK. Sad I missed you here by a few days.
Davina