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Fire! Such a terrifying word. There are few
things more devastating than loosing your home. All your possessions
disappearing in the blink of an eye. Your clothes, family pictures,
furniture and things inherited, even the roof over your head.
It's also pretty scary to a five-year-old in the
early morning hours before dawn. The bright light in my bedroom
awakened me. Mom was standing at the foot of my bed looking out the
window. I sat up, rubbing my eyes and asked Mom why she was here. She
came around to the side of the bed and sat down. "Mr. Sawyer’s house
is on fire. The sirens woke us. I hoped you would sleep through it.
Your daddy and the neighbors are all in the yard. The fire department
is here, but it looks bad. I don't think they can save the house,"
she told me.
I got up and looked out. The flames were really
high and men with hoses were throwing water on the burning house. One
fireman was throwing the water on the house next door to the Sawyer
home, which stood between us. Mom said they were trying to stop the
Burgess house from burning too.
Suddenly the Sawyer house flamed up and the
second story fell onto the first floor with a loud crash, sparks
flying and smoke billowing in the night sky. Mom told me to put my
shoes and robe on. She could see Mrs. Sawyer standing across the
street crying and wanted to go comfort her.
We opened the front door and felt a blast of
heat immediately. The burning smell was terrible. When we reached Mrs.
Sawyer, Mom put her arms around her, telling her she should come to
our house as there was nothing she could do. She allowed Mom to lead
her to our house, and sat on the porch swing. Mother heated water and
made tea. While Mrs Sawyer drank her tea, Mom prepared a bed for her
and inquired about her husband and son Andy. She had seen Andy in the
street, but didn't know where her husband or brother was. Andy came to
tell us his dad was ok, but so far there was no news of Jim, Mrs.
Sawyer’s brother who lived with them.
We would not know until the fire was out the next
morning, Jim Callaway’s body was recovered from the ashes. The fire
marshall believed Jim had caused the fire with a cigarette. Now there
was work to do. Jim had no insurance, but had to be buried. The
Sawyers were without a home or clothing. It was a monumental task to
try to provide their needs. They could live with us temporarily.
Clothing was first on the list. Mom sent me to a
neighbor down the street, who wore the same size as Mrs. Sawyer, for a
dress. Mom called the minister of our church. The Sawyers were not
members there, but he was willing to help with a small amount of money
and some clothes. The two ladies went to the Salvation Army Office.
After relating the story and showing newspaper clippings, Captain
Langston said, "We will get Mr. Callaway buried, and then see what we
can do next."
The Salvation Army arranged for the burial
expenses. Captain Langston then found some clothing in their
storehouse.
One week later, Dorothy Langston called Mom to
say she had found a small, two bedroom unfurnished house for the
Sawyer family. The landlord would allow them to live rent-free for the
first three months.
Mother told our neighbors and asked for any
donations of furniture. She and several others had a "pound" party,
where those attending were to bring a pound of food. It was held at
the "new" house and was a huge success. Most brought more than a
pound. Clothes and furniture poured in. The Sawyers had a home again,
thanks to the wonderful people at the Salvation Army office, and their
friends.
As long as my mother lived, she made donations to
the Salvation Army. She never forgot they were there in the time of
need for the Sawyer family.
Sharing, neighbors helping neighbors. Being
there for someone in need. That's what life is all about isn't it?
March 2007
©Clara Wersterfer |
