Thanks for the thoughts that were posted while we've been working on the fire clean-up. Your good wishes are appreciated. My reply is rather long; you may prefer to skip to the last paragraph!

What I want from this thread is to have a safe place to describe our experience as we recover from the fire and the way our lives have changed. I'd like to ask a question and get a couple of answers to that question. I'd like to keep in mind the unseen folks who may read this- and with them in mind, keep it as productive as possible, even when that means expressing our sorrow. Sometimes I may post a poem, or list the birds we've seen at home.

I come to Mudcat for music and friendship. We know where to find therapy or counseling if we need it. We were glad to let the focus of caring Mudcatters shift to those facing immediately worrying, painful medical issues. We've been given bountiful help and support, and we will continue to accept help; but it is good for us to step back occasionally, turning from our own worries in favor of others.

We continue to work hard toward full and healthy recovery. If you can't see the grieving or the recovery it's because this is (gasp!) a virtual community whose real participants have lives you can't see unless we visit each other. Those who know me can visit or pick up the telephone. I love getting letters and PMs, so those are also good choices for more personal discussions rather than for this very Mudcat thread.

My husband and I are able to build with wood and stone. We can plant, grow, graft, and harvest. We can repair what is broken, use hand and power tools, turn a ruin to a lovely oasis, and make a haven out of a fire dead home. We are learning when to ask for help, and how to accept or gently refuse help. We have no money except what we have been given for immediate survival. At the moment we are occupied with putting the house to rest, dealing with insurance negotiations, and organizing shelter for the next year. Will we rebuild? I have no idea.

Sometimes the suggestions and help offered here aren't what we need, but that's fine. We know someone else will see and make use of your good ideas. Just as we hope we can help others through this thread, we hope to build some stronger sense of community in our small farming village. Perhaps as we work through the things we need to do we'll be able to receive and offer just the sort of practical help mg mentions; we hope so.

For now, the snowdrops are in bloom at home, we are deeply in love with one another, and we celebrate the many kindnesses from strangers and friends.

In gratitude,
maeve