Loss of a home by fire is terrible. Knee mail sent.
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Loss of a home by fire is terrible. Knee mail sent.
Yes, what a terrible thing, I'm so sorry. Fortunately most of the family made it out unharmed.
While it's hard to look on the positive side, not everyone gets the chance to start over, to be born again. I hope the transition goes forward smoothly. Best wishes.
Prayers sent!
Ah man, that's awful. I'm so sorry. Positive thoughts sent your family's way.
So sorry to hear about this. Your family will be in our prayers.
Man I'm really sorry and feel your loss. Realizing the only thing you have is the cloths on your back is really tough. My neighbor house burnt down a few years ago and she lost everything including her husband. She escaped with only her nightgown and her life. It really changed how I value things. Ever since when I here of a house fire it brings me back to that night and the lose felt by those close.
Total loss fires are the worst. I am very sorry for your Mom's loss. Right now, I am sure your family is still in shock. The emotional toll won't reach it's peak until some months down the road, and it will be triggered unexpectedly by little things, like reaching for a stapler and suddenly remembering it was lost in the fire, along with a lifetime's worth of important things. It will take a long time to recover. I wouldn't presume to offer her advice, but I will offer you some, and maybe you can help guide her through what happens next.
In my experience, one of the worst things you can say to somebody who has just lost their house is 'It will be all right.' Nothing will ever make this event 'right', but time will make it better. Also know that the insurance process for this sort of loss is time-consuming and emotionally draining. She will most likely be set up in temporary housing until she rebuilds or relocates. One of the best things you can do to help in the process is to see that one of the first things she buys is a computer, and you get her internet connected quickly. The next thing you can do is ask family and friends to scan or share photographs that might have the house or it's contents in the background. The big ticket items will go quick. Most people can tell you roughly when they bought their dryer and what make it is. Not many can tell you how many forks they had in the silverware drawer.
When it comes to either buying new stuff, or rebuilding, you don't want to make major choices while still in a state of shock, and you want to take some time to think about what you would like to do next. So your Mom shouldn't feel rushed to replace everything. On the flip, once you are in a temp home and have some stability, it is easy to get bogged down by your sense of loss, and let the clock run without taking action to get to the next chapter in your life. The insurance adjuster will no doubt remind your Mom of these time limits and give her encouragement in the process. She will love them, she will hate them, she will love them again. They have a job to do, and a part of that job is also helping your family to move on with their lives. That won't always feel pleasant, but it is part of the process.
If you or your relatives have old family photos, now is also a great time to scan and copy them, then print them out into a photo book. Having something tangible to replace the old photos and will come as a considerable relief, and show care and affection in a way that just emailing scanned photos will not.
I've dealt with the aftermath of many total loss fires in my life, with a lot of them being the Black Forest and Waldo Canyon fires a few years back. So I know there is a long road ahead of your family, but I can assure you that it is possible to emerge stronger from these traumatic experiences. I wish you and yours the best on the long journey ahead of you.
Guys, thanks for all the encouragement, prayers, and helpful suggestions. Mom and my two younger brothers still living at home are staying with family nearby.
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My condolences to your family
So sorry OP. I can't imagine what they're going through.