friends house burned down

[trekbugging]

yesterday afternoon we had some major thunderstorms and my friend got a call saying his house was on fire--he went home and i didn't call him (bad me) but this morning found out ( from someone else) that his house was struck by lightening and was pretty much burned down--he and his wife jsut bought it last year (around $300,000 that they both sold their former houses to buy-and put alot of money into to fix up)
now i feel bad i didn't call and am thinking what i can do for them
just wanted to say something, but what can you say to someone who pretty much lost everything they have-- don't even know if their 3 dogs, 2 cats and 2 exotic birdws made it..

[mine]

Damn that sucks. I think just call him and let him know that you are there for him and ask if there is anything you can do to help.

[Diva]

Oh no! I think calling just to be there is the best thing you can do. So many people choose not to call and that's so much more painful. *hugs*

[Unforgiven]

That's horrific. Hopefully they can recover from it decently.

[Bones]

You could offer them a place to stay till they get back on their feet. And they could probably use stuff like clothes. Most of all just be friend and be there for them. They could probably use a shoulder right now.

[trekbugging]

i stopped by and their neighbour is letting them stay there-- the neighbour got the dogs and one cat out --the firefighters got the grey makaw out --but they haven't found the big parrot--:( --- anyway i took the station video camera and friend and i did a walk around the house to give him a professional video for insurance-- he was able to get his cars , 2 motorcycles and canoe out of garage--but the house doesn't have a roof, their bedroom closet was totally destroyed--so i have already collected some t-shirts and such for them- and will get more-- put out a mass email at work to try to get some more for them-- and later this week will go over to get what we can into a storage unit--but the 1,200 pound pool table is still upstairs in the bonus room over garage --so we have to be real careful when we move stuff

[Bones]

Your a good man Trek. A lot of people wouldn't have done as much as you have. I liked you to start with. My respect for you just grew by leaps and bounds. I'd be proud to call you friend anytime. I may even start humping your leg again.
My best wishes for your friends. I hope everything works out well for them in the end.

/me pounces on Trek and humps his leg.

[mine]

Good on you trek. :)

[trekbugging]

well, I'm not that good-- i should have gone there that night--but have to bring my son to parents tonight so can't help him --but friday night will be over there to help him get his stuff to storage unit-- then will spend night with another firend as have to drive to Charlotte sat morning and his house is almost an hour closer to it than our house