Susan Ashley Fire Relief Fund
Donation protected
Today I cried for the first time in a very long time and my heart is saddened with grief. It was my dear friend Susan on the other end. Her voice trembling, I could hardly hear her words intertwined with uncontrollable sobbing. "I just want you to know I'm okay, I’m calling from my neighbor's cell phone" She said. "I mean… I think we are going to be okay??". “What’s wrong? I asked? What are you talking about?” Susan said. “There's been a fire, a really big fire! Everything I owned is destroyed. The boys and I barely made it out alive! I've lost everything, we're okay, but a have to go, the fire chief inspector needs to speak to me so I can't talk right now” she said and abruptly hung up.
I simply could not believe what she just had told me, it seemed like a bad dream. All I could think of was that I was incredibly relieved that she was alive and uninjured but at the same time I was devastated by the news of her loss. At that moment, in the quiet, I prayed. When I opened up my eyes, I looked all around me and saw everything I have. Everything I have acquired over the years, the stuff that I cherish, the things that can never be replaced, things that I need to earn a living and live my life. I recognize they are just objects but imagining them gone in an instant was something surreal and difficult to comprehend. This is how I learned the story of a horrendous loss and the lesson that life is unpredictable, short and precious.
A few days later, Susan called me back to recreate what happened in her own words.
"It had to be the worst night of my life! Shortly after 2am, I awoke to the sound of people outside yelling and pounding on my door. When I finally woke up, I could smell the pungent odor of smoke and I saw an orange colored glow outside my window. Then I heard my neighbors screaming "Susan, are you in there? Please Susan, wake up and run out as fast as you can!” I have never been so terrified! Moments later as I was running for my life with only my 2 Maltese’s in my arms! I looked over my shoulder and saw my entire home and all my life-long belongings go up in flames in seconds.
In shock and terrified, I could only watch as my home was engulfed in flames and quickly burning to the ground. Knowing that my purse, my phone, my computer, my clothes, all my belongings including my dogs heart medicines, EVERYTHING was burning up in front of my eyes! I was in shock; it was too much to endure! All I could do was shiver in the cold night air and cry an endless stream of tears as I held my two precious dogs tight in my arms, thanking God that he did not take their life’s or mine that night.”
Michael Hennes and his colleagues have launched this GoFundMe account for our friend Susan Ashley in order to help her to start piecing her life back together again. The funds will be used for immediate needs to help Susan with finding a new home, living expenses, healthcare bills and care for her two adorable puppies, Max & Mateo. We have set a fundraising goal in alignment with others in similar crises and circumstances. In these uncertain times, we know many people are facing hardships of their own and we are extremely grateful for any donation. Please join us in our pledge to help Susan rebuild her life.
Thank you in advance for your support.
I simply could not believe what she just had told me, it seemed like a bad dream. All I could think of was that I was incredibly relieved that she was alive and uninjured but at the same time I was devastated by the news of her loss. At that moment, in the quiet, I prayed. When I opened up my eyes, I looked all around me and saw everything I have. Everything I have acquired over the years, the stuff that I cherish, the things that can never be replaced, things that I need to earn a living and live my life. I recognize they are just objects but imagining them gone in an instant was something surreal and difficult to comprehend. This is how I learned the story of a horrendous loss and the lesson that life is unpredictable, short and precious.
A few days later, Susan called me back to recreate what happened in her own words.
"It had to be the worst night of my life! Shortly after 2am, I awoke to the sound of people outside yelling and pounding on my door. When I finally woke up, I could smell the pungent odor of smoke and I saw an orange colored glow outside my window. Then I heard my neighbors screaming "Susan, are you in there? Please Susan, wake up and run out as fast as you can!” I have never been so terrified! Moments later as I was running for my life with only my 2 Maltese’s in my arms! I looked over my shoulder and saw my entire home and all my life-long belongings go up in flames in seconds.
In shock and terrified, I could only watch as my home was engulfed in flames and quickly burning to the ground. Knowing that my purse, my phone, my computer, my clothes, all my belongings including my dogs heart medicines, EVERYTHING was burning up in front of my eyes! I was in shock; it was too much to endure! All I could do was shiver in the cold night air and cry an endless stream of tears as I held my two precious dogs tight in my arms, thanking God that he did not take their life’s or mine that night.”
Michael Hennes and his colleagues have launched this GoFundMe account for our friend Susan Ashley in order to help her to start piecing her life back together again. The funds will be used for immediate needs to help Susan with finding a new home, living expenses, healthcare bills and care for her two adorable puppies, Max & Mateo. We have set a fundraising goal in alignment with others in similar crises and circumstances. In these uncertain times, we know many people are facing hardships of their own and we are extremely grateful for any donation. Please join us in our pledge to help Susan rebuild her life.
Thank you in advance for your support.
Fundraising team (3)
Glenn Marsh
Organizer
Vista, CA
Susan Ashley
Beneficiary
Michael Hennes
Team member