Barn burned

Mom came to our house last night...been trying to contact us for the past 30 minutes to inform us that their chicken barn was burning!... I felt guilty because I started using the internet at around 9 pm. Gary went with her back to their house; I was left with the kids.
When Gary came back, we readied for bed. AS I was about to massage him, he said I did not have to. Maybe he noticed how down I felt. I said I just felt sorry for Mom. Knowing how Mom get attached to their pets, even though these were meant to be consumed as food for the winter...that would have broken her heart. Plus, they are already old to be facing such a horrible experience.

This morning, the kids and I went there to see what help we could extend. We saw the rubbles, including some bodies of dead chicks, burnt weed whacker, small tractor, mountain bike (Gary's), lawn mower, small rotatiller, and other gadgets. They had been using the barn as storage for these equipment. They already called the insurance adjuster, and they could not touch/start cleaning the rubbles until the insurance adjuster had assessed the damage.
Mom was scheduled to mow her lawn today, but she just felt so weak, with a very down spirit that she did not have the strength to do any chore. I stayed with her and we talked. She said the fire, if not abated (like if they went out that night, which they did the other night), could have easily spread to the forest, involving their own house in the process (as it stood near the trees). The wind was blowing in the direction of our house. Forest fires are so hard to suppress, especially that the fire trucks have no way of keeping up with it because of the terrain. They would just have to wait at the other end, wet the trees there hoping they won't burn. A forest fire could have easily included our house in less than 30 minutes. That's a scary scary scenario...I dread to think of losing our unfinished house...Gary dread to think of having to build another house. MOm said that Gary spoke of jumping into the middle of the fire if indeed this house burns again.

Sigh...we still have a reason to thank God despite losing those chicks, the barn and the equipment there. AT least our houses are still erect, unharmed, and there were no casualties. Dad could have suffered from another bout of stroke. Mom said he was a bit incoherent during the fire -- totally confused as to what to do. I admire Mom for being strong and coherent during the time. I could empathize with them...They are old, and they do not need such stress.