Monday, May 19, 2008



A year ago today I lost 99% of everything I owned in an apartment fire. I lost clothes, records, files, dishes, furniture and everything. My laptop was spared, as were some selected clothes but other than that everything was gone. I remember feeling totally lost and vulnerable for quite some time afterwards. i also remember how generous some of my friends were in terms of helping me get back on my feet, and making sure I had everything I needed, and even now, I don't talk to all of them, but I have never forgotten the help of each and every one who helped me. For about two weeks now, I thought about how I would write about and acknowledge this day, and I never really came up with anything substantive. And even though I lost a hell of a lot that day, I have gained much more. I have had my writing published, I have a much better relationship with my son, I have replaced some of the items I lost, but most of all, I have gained a beautiful woman who will be my wife very soon. So in that respect, I feel like some good came out of that tragedy. But I still have down days..I still miss some of the things I lost in that fire. I miss how cozy things were in my old apartment. And I still feel very blessed that I wasn't in the apartment the night in happened, because in the words of the firemen who boarded up my place, I "would have been a goner".

So, just in case God reads my blog, I want to thank him for sparing me on that day. And I would like to thank any of my readers who helped me get through that day. I appreciate it more than you'll ever know.

I Love You More Than You'll Ever Know - Donnie Hathaway

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

As they say, when 1 door closes.. 2 more open. It's apparent that, that phase of your life needed to be purged. I know you still feel a great loss behind what happened...But think for a second what if it hadn't happened? where would u be mentally? Would u have that beautiful girlfriend? And lastly, would u still being doing the same ole things? Be Blessed and know that those that helped you, loved you back. Happy Anniversary...Congrats on the new chapter in your life. :)

Janelle said...

The Radley File said it best. I've had front row seats to your progression from then to now. I am overly happy for your growth in the face of this devastating event. COngrats on surviving it all and coming out on the other side with an even better life and an even better girlfriend. And before this gets too emotional and mushy, let me just add one more thing: so after I shits on the bitch..... hahahahahahahah

Anonymous said...

Man - you been through the fire like Chaka Khan ... or are we getting to old for song analogies?

asabi said...

thank God you survived that. otherwise I never would have discovered your blog.;)

£ said...

Dude. That picture is insane. I can only imagine what that must have been like.

Every little thing helps, and its awesome that good was able to come out of what was a devastating event. Even if you get down from time to time - you continue to rock on, and thats inspiring.

i'm really happy for you my dude. :)

Papier Girl said...

What a beautiful-sad post. My favorite part: "I have had my writing published, I have a much better relationship with my son, I have replaced some of the items I lost, but most of all, I have gained a beautiful woman who will be my wife very soon." Truly epitomizes a mixture of faith and glass-half-full logic.