Over a year has gone by since the fire in which my family and I recovered only a few personal items, paper remnants of our previous life. The smoke still lingers on these documents, which have also taken on the color of smoke around the edges. Now I take a look around, and realize how far I have come since that day. By losing everything, my life has greatly improved.

            The night before the fire, I asked the Divine to please cleanse my life of all the negativity. The frightening images of abuse lurked in every corner of my life. Memories of unhappiness and sorrow remained in every room in my home. It was so hard to let it all go so I cast my spell and turned it over to Goddess. The next day around 11 in the morning I received a call that my home was on fire.

            Honestly at that moment I was unable to see what would come to be. It was devastating to see my entire world burning. My family and friends consoled me. The community opened their arms and took us in. I was surrounded by Love. The fire taught my children what small towns are all about. It showed them how important others are to us in this world and why I try so hard to be compassionate in this sometimes, harsh world. Before the fire, they wanted to move, they wanted to go live in the city. Country life was too boring for them. I smile as I remember their faces when I they saw how everyone pulled together and helped us get back on our feet. Not once did I have to get assistance from the government. I had all the help I needed in the community around me.

            An earthly angel appeared in my life disguised as a wise old woman witty and sharp. She came up to talk with me at my work. Offering to me her help until I found somewhere to live and gave me a gift certificate for fuel at a local gas station (at the time I was commuting about 50 miles a day in a gas guzzling pick up). I thought that was more than anyone could ask for. She has helped me to set up my new home and furnish it as well. She has helped me in so many ways. The more I get to know her the more I see how she assists so many people that are at the bottom trying to dig themselves out. She is an amazing woman and I admire her greatly.

            Now I don't have everything, but I do have enough. I have all that I need and that is plenty. I've kept my children in the same school but I have relocated a town away into Strasburg. It's a great place to live the people are friendly and the air is clean. I'm basically still in the same community that helped me out so much in the first place. I have so much to be thankful for and so many friends that I love. I see now, that the fire happened to cleanse my life and to start anew.