Life doesn't teach you the lessons you need to learn through softness. It's not the moments of pure joy that create who we are, but the dark, grueling moments of pain.

When I lost my home in a house fire on November 8th, it was really hard to not just feel sorry for myself and my family. Walking up to my home with fire trucks surrounding it and that horrible black smoke coming out of the windows is a sight I will never be able to forget. Not knowing if all the animals would be getting out alive, not knowing what started it… so much chaos and not knowing. It's really easy to get lost in the sadness while digging through the remains of family heirlooms.

Thank you to the Manteca Fire Dept for getting all of my fur babies out

After the dust has now settled and I am sitting in our new rental with my pets snoring beside me who made it out safe, I can see past the sadness now and see what this tragedy has taught me. The lessons I learned came at a great cost, but like most of the tough things, we have to learn I'm grateful to be here now.

I learned through a massive outpouring of love in my family and I's direction that we are never as alone as we feel. People who I never even imagined I would see again showed up to help us dig through our belongings trying to find sentimental pieces that survived. Donations came in from all over to help us get by while we waiting for insurance to come around. People helped me even clean up my dogs! The kindness that humans are capable of has blown me away and the amount of gratitude that I feel is something I cannot even put into words.

I also learned that I am capable of more than I give myself credit for. While a lot of things fell through the cracks in the last month, I was able to somehow not totally lose track of myself and my business for too long. It's hard not to get tunnel vision in tragedy and remember that there is a whole beautiful life you still need to live outside of it. Also through this lesson, I learned that people are far more patient and understanding than I ever imagined.

There were several times in the last month that I didn't show my best side. I let the emotions overtake me. This gave me a lesson in forgiving myself. And in forgiving others for being unable to keep it together.

One of the most important things I learned though is that it is all just stuff. The house, the belongings… none of it matters in the end because what matters is that every person and animal that was in the house that afternoon is safe. They are breathing and alive and they get to have another day. I learned nothing is guaranteed so I really need to do what I can to cherish and appreciate these people in my life that I love.

2020 is on its way and while it sounds so strange to say it… I have an incredible feeling about how it's going to go for my personal, family, and business life. From the (literal) ashes it is time to rise and I think life is about to get better than ever.

Take care of yourselves and each other xo Thank you so much to everyone who has reached out. Your generosity and love have changed my life.

Share this story

COMMENTS Expand -
  1. cialis online cheap says:
    Your comment is awaiting moderation. This is a preview; your comment will be visible after it has been approved.
    cialis online cheap [url=https://calis24.com/#]cialis otc[/url] https://calis24.com/
  2. migajthota says:
    Your comment is awaiting moderation. This is a preview; your comment will be visible after it has been approved.
    coronavirus numbers coronavirus ohio cdc coronavirus coronavirus news coronavirus france john hopkins coronavirus map coronavirus florida ‌‌buy coronavirus rainbow window messages coronavirus madonna coronavirus https://pharm-usa-official.com/coronavirus/# – ‌‌coronavirus drug https://www.essedoramateindico.com.br/darling-wa-gaikokujin/?unapproved=258218&moderation-hash=a28629edd937054dbe570f824d82fd05#comment-258218 https://www.advocatearound.com/poland-advocate/kancelaria-adwokacka-jacek-kozowski-0a130283/ https://www.traceycox.com/2016/09/28/how-to-have-a-satisfying-quickie/?unapproved=96528&moderation-hash=a97d273e19c9647921e736654529b0ef#comment-96528 https://timesofksk.com/appsc-asst-commissioner-of-endowments-2018-selection-notification/?unapproved=54869&moderation-hash=c7946fbc8a72ffe7126641cf0f284be9#comment-54869 https://www.tripzilla.my/%e9%9f%a9%e5%9b%bd-11%e5%ba%a7%e5%b1%b1-%e6%99%af%e8%89%b2%e5%a6%82%e7%94%bb-%e9%80%82%e5%ae%9c%e8%bf%9c%e8%b6%b3-%e5%b1%b1%e5%b3%b0/2895?unapproved=3060&moderation-hash=fd652455ae5a3150aada1dc9abfa8294#comment-3060
  3. jbljgktum says:
    Your comment is awaiting moderation. This is a preview; your comment will be visible after it has been approved.
    sophia viagra nude sophia viagra nude buy viagra does viagra work viagra porn viagra for sale i took viagra mom viagra pills side effects of viagra does viagra work http://pharm-usa-official.com/# – buy viagra
  4. mrhtqthota says:
    Your comment is awaiting moderation. This is a preview; your comment will be visible after it has been approved.
    legit ways to make money online how to make money at home make money how to make money with bitcoin money make make money at home how much money do youtubers make work from home free ways to make money online make money now http://sunrise-perm.ru/ – make money
  5. qotaethota says:
    Your comment is awaiting moderation. This is a preview; your comment will be visible after it has been approved.
    how does craigslist make money how do youtubers make money work from home how to make money online for free make money online fast how to make money blogging how to make money on amazon work from home imgclick will easily make money sharing photos friends social free file upload how to make extra money http://photo2blog.ru/ – make money
  6. xdlgxthota says:
    Your comment is awaiting moderation. This is a preview; your comment will be visible after it has been approved.
    how to make money online fast how to make money fast work from home legitimate ways make extra money ways to make money how to make money on facebook diy crafts that make money work from home homemade items that make money how to make money quick http://www.generalfinances.ru/ – work from home
  7. xzuwethota says:
    Your comment is awaiting moderation. This is a preview; your comment will be visible after it has been approved.
    easy ways to make money best way to make money work from home how much money does pewdiepie make make money taking surveys how did betsy devos make her money make extra money make money how much money can i make on social security how to make money on youtube https://make-money-blogs.com/# – work from home
  8. owaskthota says:
    Your comment is awaiting moderation. This is a preview; your comment will be visible after it has been approved.
    how did jerry jones make his money make money taking surveys make money how to make money selling drugs how to make money as a teen make money on youtube how to make extra money work from home how to make money on twitch best ways to make money online https://make-money-blogs.com/# – make money
  9. bvxrythota says:
    Your comment is awaiting moderation. This is a preview; your comment will be visible after it has been approved.
    best way to make money online how to make money fast make money make money on facebook make money apps make money quick ways to make money make money homemade items that make money how did betsy devos make her money https://make-money-blogs.com/# – work from home
  10. fkeluthota says:
    Your comment is awaiting moderation. This is a preview; your comment will be visible after it has been approved.
    how much money can i make on social security easy way to make money work from home make money make money fast how to make money from home how to make money at home work from home how to make money without a job hobbies that make money https://make-money-blogs.com/# – work from home
  11. krhidthota says:
    Your comment is awaiting moderation. This is a preview; your comment will be visible after it has been approved.
    quick loans albany ga quick way to pay student loans quick loans quick pay payday loans new york state threatens to garnish quick loans albany ga faxless quick payday loans quick pay payday loans new york state threatens to garnish quick loan quick loans no credit check quick cash loans huntsville al
  12. scoiqthota says:
    Your comment is awaiting moderation. This is a preview; your comment will be visible after it has been approved.
    herbal viagra what symptoms does viagra treat viagra online where to buy viagra gina valentina viagra effects of viagra viagra prank gay friend xhamster viagra 100mg roy mercer viagra multiple male orgasms with cialis or viagra https://viagrnetwork.com/# – natural viagra http://meng.6bang.cn/home.php?mod=space&uid=145132 https://360plus.org/360/home-everywhere-just-find/?unapproved=91638&moderation-hash=4b7379192d256d5c3a290aaf6f3f743d#comment-91638 https://nossasaocarlos.com.br/2020/03/17/primeiro-aviao-eletrico-comercial-completa-testes/?unapproved=2890815&moderation-hash=80d2c6bf771aa6d4942a1a00c15c9528#comment-2890815 https://www.codetools.ir/realmadrid104.html?unapproved=7268&moderation-hash=494b947d19b51a4078f0805c4eddcdd3#comment-7268 https://leclubdesclubs.org/resultats-cnec-lien-secondaire/resultats-regionaux/hauts-de-france/893-c-n-e-c-2019-poule-somme
  13. bzqukthota says:
    Your comment is awaiting moderation. This is a preview; your comment will be visible after it has been approved.
    can a guy take viagra everyday meloxicam viagra interaction generic viagra brother takes viagra fucking after taking viagra daughter helps dad with viagra viagra lingerie viagra prices mandy flores accidetal viagra/hamsterr viagra headaches cure https://pharm-usa-official.com – cialis vs viagra https://www.qsocs.com/blog/physical-design-training-at-qsocs-in-bangalore/?unapproved=17099&moderation-hash=09a5149d2450fc520f8b5095d169eaab#comment-17099 http://medgatetoday.com/number-of-patients-opting-for-bariatric-surgery-soars-in-bangalore/?unapproved=278379&moderation-hash=f83562e5601a5e13612f7545e0b5ce89#comment-278379 http://astarainfo.az/2017/11/22/astarada-orta-m%c9%99kt%c9%99b-psixoloqlari-ucun-t%c9%99lim-kurslari-h%c9%99yata-kecirilir/?unapproved=2418337&moderation-hash=6302efebb44bce621c3eb37393da264e#comment-2418337 https://technicalguysrachit.com/pubg-mobile-0-9-5-apk/?unapproved=278530&moderation-hash=86cc58f2bed1b14321cd18d18c5d1e11#comment-278530 http://esportscaribbean.com/blog/2017/09/04/retro-general-chaos-genesis/?unapproved=192909&moderation-hash=6fffb6d4b65da1d423ac7d4639089abf#comment-192909
  14. Dekiodip says:
    Your comment is awaiting moderation. This is a preview; your comment will be visible after it has been approved.
    cheapest cialis pharmacy comparison otc cialis viagra cheap online uk
  15. Robertswome says:
    Your comment is awaiting moderation. This is a preview; your comment will be visible after it has been approved.
    cheap viagra thailand viagra buy malaysia can buy viagra uk
ADD A COMMENT

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *