01/27/2026
One year ago, our house burned down.
When I look back, what stands out most is fear—not just in the moment, but the fear that followed. The questions. The “what ifs.” What caused it? Could it happen again? Will I ever sleep without wondering if we’re safe? Will my kids be permanently traumatized? The list goes on and on and on.
We worked through that fear. And I want to be honest—it still shows up. This snowstorm has brought some of it back. But I’ve learned this: giving fear power doesn’t protect me. So when it appears, I acknowledge it, talk about it, pray through it, and keep moving forward.
This year also held sadness, frustration, jealousy—and surprisingly, joy. That joy came from the overwhelming love and support we received. Gratitude became a quiet anchor. A daily practice that made hard days more manageable and helped crowd out the heaviness. If you’re in the middle of something hard, I can’t recommend a daily gratitude practice enough.
I also learned I’m not in control, no matter how much I like to be. Letting go has been necessary to heal and leaning into my faith has been what has helped me do that.
I have also learned patience in ways I never wanted to—with healing, insurance, rebuilding, and the slow work of moving forward one step at a time. And accepting help as a helper was challenging but we all need it at some point in our lives. We can pay it forward instead of holding that guilt.
I also learned that we all cope differently. For me, learning and sharing is part of healing. Turning pain into something that might help someone else matters to me. And hearing that these posts or podcast episodes helped others—whether with fire safety, prevention, or navigating loss—has brought real peace.
One year out, I’m still processing. Still learning. Still healing. But I’m deeply aware of how resilient we can be, how powerful community is, and how much growth can come after loss.
If you’re walking through something hard: be patient with yourself. Let fear pass without taking over. Practice gratitude. Accept help. Healing is not linear.
Thank you to every person who has supported my family this past year. I am deeply grateful for you. 🤍