We need to be grateful...

One never know in a split second what can happen and we really need to remember to be grateful of all goodness.

On Wednesday night after a nice hot bath I settled into bed at 11:00 p.m. ready to unwind with a little magazine reading. That’s when the fire alarm began its piercing shrill sound. Abby (my kitty) and I jumped up. I’m in a 3rd floor apartment. I was back in my clothes in a flash and in the hall people were deciding what to do. Someone ran up to our floor and told us it IS a fire. I ran to grab Abby’s carrier but I could not find her anywhere no matter how I searched. I called loudly through that piercing alarm. When I saw smoke seeping into my kitchen I knew I HAD to leave the apartment. It was awful leaving her but I had no choice.

The apartment cleared outdoors and I sat with another neighbor in her car along with 2 other residents keeping warm. Fortunately it wasn’t a snowy blowy night but it was cold. We watched 3 paramedic trucks arrive and fire trucks and lots and lots of flashing police cruisers. There was huge smoke on the first floor where a sofa had caught fire in an apartment where a man had been smoking. He was semi-conscious I believe when they broke into his apartment. He lives alone. He was taken to the hospital where he is still and not doing very well.

We sat watching and I realized again just how vulnerable we are. I was more worried about smoke and Abby back up in the apartment. At midnight 2 regional buses were brought in and everyone moved into them. It was wonderful watching all the people who chipped in and did little things like helping the elderly residents (we have a number of those) and comforting each other. A neighbor in a house across the road came out throughout this time to let us know we could use her restroom anytime or have tea. She was awake and available the whole night into the morning.

We sat in the bus huddled many in slippers and long coats over pajamas. We were a party of neighbours spending hours in the night together most of us not knowing each other and uncertain about the situation. Some sat quietly with concern in thought, others were taking advantage of this group time and laughing and talking about other matters. Finally just before 1:30 a.m. we retraced our steps to our apartments. Perhaps we won’t meet each other again but we’ll have memories of this time we spent together. I think it’ll take some time before we are all feeling totally comfortable at home.

Enjoy your day…your home…. Judi xoxo

P.S. Abby was fine and happy to see me when I got home. I was so happy to see her too. I scooped her up hugging her tightly.