My grandmother’s house burned down over the weekend. She is physically OK, but devastated. She lost everything and it breaks my heart. She is 84 and the thought of rebuilding at that age is horrible. Luckily, my parents and her other grandchildren live in the same town so she has a lot of family around to help.
It was a cool Victorian house, built in 1852. It had a small room in the basement for the “help” and a back staircase so they could go from their quarters in the basement to the second story and not be seen. It also had 6 bedroom and 1 full and 2 1/2 bathrooms.
She has been in the house since 1968. They think it was an electrical fire. I am 38 and it was the first house I lived in when I was a baby. I just feel terrible.
I am so sorry. I know a lot of people will say " it’s just things," and they are right, but, they are really, really important things. I hope you and your family get through this closer than ever.
The sense of loss is great. Yes, it is just “things”, but your grandmother lived through some tough times, and it is comforting to have some “old friends” around. Most folks have some “heirloom” that they love. It may not be the best made or the fanciest, but it is theirs. I had a stuffed tiger that I used as a pillow growing up. I left it behind when I left home. One of my younger sisters wanted it, so I gave it to her. Somehow she lost it. I do miss it sometimes. I can only try to imagine what it would be like to lose an “old friend” that I had had for over 60 years. It will be hard for her. I am glad that she has family and friend around that will help her through this time of adjustment.
I write this from the desk my oldest sister gave me when she went off to college in 1970. She died in a house fire about 20 years ago. This desk is one of my “old friends”. This fire left my mom with severe lung damage and my dad with 3rd degree burns over 15% of his body. So, yes, it is just “stuff”.
Please remember that she has had a large loss even if it is not the loss of a living loved one. Do not disdount her loss. It is still a loss and she will go through the “grieving process”. She could use some understanding from her family and friends. Be there for her. She needs it.
She is very much in shock about the whole thing. But she is as tough as they come. She has been the pit bull of the family. If anyone can overcome this, it’s her. I live 8 hours away from her, but I will be heading up there this weekend and I will be armed with copies of all the family photos I have. I just really want to give her a hug.
I live in a house from 1849. Nowhere near as grand as your grandmother’s just an old farmhouse. But I love it. My sympathy goes out to your grandmother for all she’s lost, and I’m happy she wasn’t lost with the house.
I’m glad there are people around to help. Hope you guys spend a lot of time recording memories of that beautiful house!