June 29, 2014
Been Through the Fire
By Dr. E. Faye Williams, Esq.
(TriceEdneyWire.Com) – So often in my life I’ve heard people mention the trauma of a fire in their home. Since Sunday, June 15, 2014, I can truly say that I’ve Been Through the Fire! On that day, the basement of my home was totaled by fire, and the rest of the house was engulfed by so much smoke that I’m not sure I’ll ever stop smelling it. Like many, I bought insurance, but never thought I would experience a fire in my home. Inevitably you underestimate the value of your life’s accumulations. I sure did.
Obviously, I’m blessed and grateful that I came through the fire. I had just stepped out of the house for 10 minutes or less when smoke raged rapidly. A neighbor noticed and called the Fire Department. Numerous fire engines, police and ambulances showed up in what seemed like just 2 minutes. Maybe it was a few minutes more, but I know they arrived pretty quickly. At times like that, you are grateful that you have a fire station near you.
If you have never been through a fire while it is engulfing nearly everything you hold valuable and dear, you can’t imagine the feeling when the Fire Department arrives and, in an orchestrated manner, the firemen methodically break your windows and doors, punch holes in your roof and ceilings while you stand by helplessly. You want them to put out the fire and let out the smoke, but when they’ve finished, it seems that nothing you hold dear is left to cherish—except your life. I have learned to be grateful for that.
Maybe this writing can be called cathartic, but I pray that it’s a reminder of the importance of doing all you can to prepare yourself for the possibility that one day, you might be faced with a fire in your home. Make sure you have fire insurance that is kept up to date, with dates of purchase of everything in your home. Record a description of the items in your home and keep the recorded information some place other than in your home. Keep a list of everything you have in your home—preferably by room-by-room. Make copies (or at least keep photographs) of pictures, art work and awards.
I once heard a little tune that said, “If you’re catching hell, don’t hold it; if you’re going through it, don’t stop.” When so many of your precious belongings burn up or are lost to you for any reason, you really feel like you are going through hell—but you can’t allow that to stop you from soldiering on. After looking at all of my losses, I choked up a bit, but soon sucked it up and told myself, “Those were things, and I can get more things.” I tell myself that several times a day, so I’ve had no headaches, no high blood pressure and no depression! I’m carrying on my normal day-to-day activities and looking forward to being in my next home.
Friends have been wonderful. Even people I never thought noticed my work or cared what I do for others have been there for me, and I’m learning to accept their kindness and generosity. When you’re always one who is doing for others, it’s hard to switch gears and be the recipient. Even though I lost a lot in the fire, I know I’m blessed. I know such things can happen to any one of us. My point in describing what happened to me is to remind others of something President Lyndon Johnson once said and of which I constantly remind myself. He said, “How incredible it is that in this fragile existence we should hate and destroy one another.”
(Dr. E. Faye Williams is President/CEO of the National Congress of Black Women, Inc. www.nationalcongressbw.org and www.efayewillilams.com. 202/678-6788