My week back started easily enough. Well, as easily as one can force oneself to get up early after one hasn't done this for eighteen (18!) days. My students and I eased back into our routine Wednesday and Thursday. Unfortunately, on Wednesday I received some shocking news.
Have you ever experienced one of those moments when you hear something or read something and it feels like the ground drops out from under your feet? Around noon on Wednesday I received word that my biological father's house, the one we had just stayed at in Kentucky, had burned down. There was very little information available to those of us who weren't there to witness the events as they unfolded. All I knew was that he got out, appeared to be okay, and that the house was a total loss.
Tony and I waited to hear more information and talked about how strange a feeling it was to know we were just there. We waited, and worried, and waited some more. We were in pretty constant contact with my uncle, thank God. Between him and a neighbor woman who was "on scene" I feel like we got our information really quickly considering the situation. The cell phone and house phone that we would normally call to communicate were both burned in the fire. On Thursday I received word that my bio dad hadn't been well the previous night and had gone into the doctor. She was able to call back later with a new cell number for me, and was also able to let me know that he had been admitted to the hospital.
Even though we were dealing with a tough situation, I found myself being thankful for our silver linings as we went through this. First of all, we are so blessed to have family that support us. Being adopted has always been wonderful, as has getting to know my biological parents as an adult. That being said, it is also something I worry about and struggle with from time to time - needlessly. When I think about all the problems that me developing these relationships could cause (if I had less supportive parents, family and friends) sometimes it makes my mind spin. I am so, so grateful to my mom and dad for allowing me to open my heart and care for more people instead of being jealous or asking me not to do this.
When I got home on Thursday evening and told Tony the most recent information I had (about the hospital), his first question was "When are we leaving?" At that moment I don't think I could have loved him more. We had to borrow some money, but luckily thanks to Tony's mom, we were able to hit the road that night and head back to Kentucky. I quickly assembled my lesson plans for Friday, arranged for a substitute teacher, and off we went.
I had very high hopes for how our trip would start out. We would leave that night, and me being such a night owl, I would drive us as far as I could and we'd have a short day of it on Friday. Enter reality. We left the Milwaukee Area around 8:30 p.m. on Thursday evening. It started to rain/sleet as we approached Chicago. Tony was awake and keeping me company until mid-way through Chicago. After that he was weaving in and out of consciousness and I continued to drive. I have to throw in here that until this trip, in all my thirty-three years, I've never known semi-truck drivers to be such incredible bullies! I started to get a little nervous about the weather, but forged ahead because I refused to stay in Gary, IN if I could help it. Finally, I exited the freeway around Valparaiso, IN in order to get some food. As I pulled off the exit ramp exhaustion rolled over me and I knew I was done for. We found a restaurant, ordered to-go, and found what should have been a decent hotel close to the highway.
We stayed in a Comfort Suites and our experience was less than ideal. The entire second floor wreaked of marijuana, and there were all sorts of gross stains in our room. Tony fell asleep like a champ and slept like a baby. I, on the other hand, debated going to the car to sleep. Finally, exhaustion won and I got some shut-eye to help prepare for the day ahead of us. We left early enough in the morning, but didn't end up getting to the hospital in Kentucky until around 5:30 p.m. on Friday. Although we had dry conditions, along the way we passed at least five different semi-trucks either in the ditch, along the side of the road, rolled over in the median or jack-knifed in one respect or another. It wasn't a pleasant drive. Really I think the difference was just so obvious from the last time we went down (a little over a week prior). Our travels had a sense of urgency this trip and that just made each and every delay feel worse.
I am happy to report that progress has been continual for my bio dad since we got to the hospital. He's sounding better and able to do more every day. The official diagnosis was pneumonia in the entire left lunch and half the right lung. Today he was the first day they took him off oxygen. Baby steps for sure, but at least he's making progress.
While Tony and I were in town we took a ride to see what was left of the house. If there is anything I've learned from this situation it is to make sure our smoke detectors are always in working order! Please do the same! My bio dad was sleeping when the fire started, presumably in the basement. Upon awakening he stumbled towards a bedroom door and took with him two fire extinguishers. When he opened the bedroom door, he was hit in the face with a punch of smoke and fell down. He had to crawl out of the house. Please take this lesson with you as well. Particularly when we are awoken from a deep sleep, we may forget things we've learned. He knew better than to open that door - but in his sleepy haze, he thought maybe it was something small that he could take care of with those two fire extinguishers. All I can do is thank God that he made it out alive. There is very little left standing at the house, save the foundation walls and chimney. I went back to take pictures on Saturday morning and this is what we found: |
If you see the piece of wall that is still sticking up in the first picture, that is near where the bedroom was where Tony and I stayed. In the third picture, on the right, you can see what remains of the refrigerator, washer and dryer. It gives me the chills to see that all that remains of the washing machine is the tub that you would put clothes in.I know this has been a less-than-cheery post, and for that I apologize. As scary as the experience has been, I do feel that a lot of good came out of it as well. For one, Tony and I were able to show support to a family member in need. Secondly, we were able to feel the love from our family here as they supported us in our decision to go down, checked in on us and offered their thoughts and prayers for a speedy recovery. Thirdly, I was able to meet my uncle for the first time and get some visiting time in with him. I enjoyed it immensely though I hope the next time it is under happier, less stressful circumstances! Finally, we were able to help a little bit at getting bio dad a little bit organized and better prepared to deal with what lies ahead.
I would like to publicly thank the community of Jenkins, KY for their help during this horrible time. The Red Cross and Salvation Army, which is in Hazard, KY, both gave so much including many essential items. He is blessed to have neighbors who have provided him with a vacant home to stay in for a little while. Through the generosity of all those mentioned he will be able to come home to a nice clean bed with warm blankets. A cupboard stocked with canned goods. All the toiletries one could need, as well as dishes, glasses and silverware. These people took care of everything, and for that we couldn't be more grateful.
Give your loved ones a squeeze tonight, and tell them how much you love them. It shouldn't take a near-tragedy to remind us...but I can bear witness to all the what-ifs that run through one's mind when a near-tragedy strikes.
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| Whitesburg, KY intersection |
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| Frozen waterfalls coming from mountain |
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| Whitesburg, KY |
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