BAck HOME to great sadness and shock

Home

HOME from the west

to a street lit up like you cannot imagine

and

the street blocked off

here in Florida

our

dear friends and neighbors

home

on fire.

Speaking across the country on compassion fatigue

and

returning home

seeing your street lit up with firetrucks, police cars

and

seeing your friends

who just arrived home from a two week vacation

looking devastated

standing with the fire chief

can stun the senses in ways unimagined.

IT IS AND WAS HORRIBLE

for them

our hearts are aching

My shadow

I just realized as I shot this picture

in the dark standing in the driveway

while trying to wrap my head around

what had just happened here.

One thing I can say

TARPON SPRINGS FIRE DEPARTMENT

AND

POLICE DEPARTMENT

are without a doubt

OUTSTANDING

along with their

fine "sniffer dog" that I for the life of me

cannot remember the name of.

DLB had to call Sandy

to tell her

"Sandy your home is on fire"

what a call that was to make

to a friend

right before leaving to come and get me at the airport

only to find out the police would not let her bring the car out of the garage

saying it was NOT safe!

She had to wait

as she saw the street line up with about

150 spectactors across the street

who knows where they all came from

but

they came

and then she heard the word

"hatchet"

as she ran to them to let them know she had the keys to the house

but they said

"there is not time for keys"

and

when we returned at 10p

the street was still closed

Sandy and Stuart had just arrived

from hearing the news as they were already on the way home

both looking stunned

and

devastated.

The responders were here and in the house until 3am

as DLB fixed all coffee and served them in the street

some police officers remembered me and the boys taking them those famous chocolate cupcakes to the station.

Now they received frozen baked goods as they sat at their vehicles and had coffee each taking their turn goin into the smoke filled and soot covered

HOME of our friends

ARson is suspected

and

we shake our heads wondering how could this be

in our little neighborhood

to such good people

and

we are still walking like deer in the headlights.

At least they have a home

here

with us,

right next door

so they can come and go and be relaxed

they know they are welcomed

to do what they need or want to do.

They are our friends

our family here

I still shake my head

the images are too dark too real

and

the pain is palpable

of willful destruction

and intent

of harm to the spirit and to the kindness

of our friends.

I again

cannot say enough about those

that serve our community

who protect

and

care

they were kind, compassionate, empathetic

and

the response time

was the only thing that saved the home.

IN some of the most dark of times

when returning from the soot filled

house/home next door

we have laughed

we have dug deep to find

humor

that is real and genuine.

That is what makes for survivors.

Stuart says

he told Sandy

that they will take even more time in the

re-build

just so they can enjoy the meals prepared

by

DLB

he sees no need to rush

cos' after all he is eating real well here!

Now planning a

"soot wall" gathering on Saturday

where each friend gets to claim their own wall

and scrub

for the opportunity of a burger and a beer

and to claim their own wall!

Now there you go

when is the last time

you had your very own "soot wall" to clean

I ask ya?

I'm thinkin I would be better at cookin the burgers myself.

But the real kick in the pants

is the morning after

when Yvonne next door

looked out and found a man with his two sons from the neighborhood

he had stopped in front of the house

with caution tape surrounding it

AND

allowed his kids to

GO INSIDE FOR A LOOK SEE!!!

Yvonne was there in a hot second

asking him what was "he thinking"

and to get those kids out of that house

and

then yelled at him

"That is someone's home"

I have to wonder about people these last couple of days...

Perhaps they are just to stupid to be let outside alone...

Give a thought or a prayer for Sandy and Stuart

warriors

and

let me know

HOW ARE YOU...

I hope you are well

and sorry you haven't heard words of inspiration

but

since getting home

it's been rather

hectic and heart bending here.

I wish you enough today

and

I wish you whatever it takes

to extend kindness to all you see.

The sage is lit with thoughts on the wind to all who enter here

Walk In Beauty

DRSES

"thank you Arizona for your hospitality"

http://www.drsherryeshowalter.com/