Thanks, everybody. I’m still waiting to hear more details. I’m guessing it was smoke inhalation in her sleep, but I don’t know for sure. My mother was partially disabled, had to use a walker and wouldn’t have been able to get outside very easily.
I’'ve told both my brothers about it. Had to take my kids to school. We still haven’t told them anything. One of my brothers said he was going to call our dad, but I don’t know if that’s happened yet.
I still don’t know about the condition of the house either, or what, if anything, can be salvaged.
I’ll update when I know more. I’m appreciative of the sympathy. It still hasn’t really sunk in yet. Feels like a dream. I’m just going about my day like everything is normal. I’m sure this is all going to slam into me like a truck at some point, but right now I’m still sort of dissociated.
I can’t seem to say anything coherent here, just typing and deleting lots of curse words. Diogenes, I wish there was some way I could ease this horrible thing.
Very sorry to hear this Dio. When the thoughts begin to race, and they will, remember that it was almost certainly smoke inhalation, and she may well not have woken.
Try to forcibly focus your thoughts on good memories of her. What you allow into your brain during the stressful period has a way of staying with you. Make decisions now about what memories you want to keep close and focus on them when the bad stuff comes around.
Do this for your children as well. acknowledge and validate their fears, but then begin a nice story about Grandma and how much she loves them.
I sure hope you aren’t required to identify the body, but if you do… well, smoke inhalation doesn’t leave someone as horrible looking as actual burning does, and if it was carbon monoxide that got her she might even have a fairly alive-looking appearance. Which isn’t going to make such an event OK, or pleasant, I’m just saying, if it comes to that it may not be as bad as you fear.
Holy cats, Dio, that’s supremely horrible. I just can’t even express…
I’m in the area - please do contact me if there’s any way I can help or if there’s anything I can do for you. Unfortunately, I’m taking a quick vacation Thursday through next Monday, but I’m available tonight and then again next Tuesday and onwards. I mean it: if there’s anything I can do, let me know.
I’m so sorry. How awful for you. You’re in my thoughts.
