My family and I would like to thank everyone very much for their kindness and generosity in helping my sister out after the fire that took everything they had.
This is a very short diary just to say thank you very much. I will never forget it. The Kossack community never fails to blow me away with their warmth and caring.
Mon May 18, 2015 at 5:09 AM PT: From Heath:
"Words cannot express the gratitude that my family and I have for the outpouring of love and support we have received from family, friends, neighbors, coworkers, and complete strangers during this difficult time.
From the fire fighters and first responders on the scene, to my neighbors Bill and Gail who opened up their home to my family, to my neighbors who comforted my daughter, my boss who went to my house when I could not just to see how he could help.To our friends who have brought meals and groceries, to the girls that moved the nine yards of dirt out of the driveway so the cleanup crew could get in, to my family from out of town who drove all the way out here just to make sure that we were ok. To all of the people who donated to the Go Fund Me site that my sister Pam started. We are eternally grateful.
In the days that have followed the fire Jackie and I have had the opportunity to reflect on just how fortunate we really are. Both of us feel incredibly blessed that my mom and my aunt with the help of my daughter were able to safely get themselves and our two dogs out of the house. We are acutely aware that had the fire started even a half an hour later than it did my family would have been asleep and this story would have had a very different ending.
This life experience has taught my daughter and reminded us that stuff is just that. It's the family, friends and community that surround you that are the most important part of your world. When you have them you can really persevere through anything."