[Dan, ever the English teacher, wanted me to apologize for any grammatical errors, non sequiturs, stream of consciousness, redundancies, or other bits of bad literary behavior in this post - he begs your indulgence as he is a bit inundated at the moment. -- K]
"First things first. My dog is safe and recovering and that is great! I am grateful beyond measure to the firemen from Firehouse 3 for braving the flames (and evidently the gunshots going off next door). They heard Chess was trapped and went in as soon as they could. I have posted the video and I encourage all of you to check it out. Truly selfless people -I am forever in their debt.
Currently, I am at Beth and David Breuer's house, two remarkable and heroic friends I know through my work at St. Thomas High School. They have offered me a room for a little while. It's a great thing because Chester and Winston are best friends. I certainly thank Beth, David, and Winston. Chess and I plan on staying here until I can find more permanent housing.
The idea is that the townhome community is going to rebuild. ...Honestly, I don't see how this is a possibility, but that's the news in the wind. My understanding is that I will then have to wait nine months for my place. To that end, I am looking for something close to the school for the school year. ...Keep your eyes and ears open.
Many of you have asked how you can help and I have been absolutely blown away by your generosity. Truly, I have never felt so much love from so many people in my life. It is a profoundly moving experience. It is. It is. It is. …It is a glorious thing to witness, and it is an incredible gift to receive. I feel so unworthy. Bless you all!
Now if you're looking for ways to help, I can only tell you that I don't know my whole plan yet. I'm doing this one day at a time. Honestly, this is tougher than I could have imagined. I have a new found respect for all of the evacuees from Louisiana, my cousin Ben and his wife Rebecca, and all of those who have experienced similar upheavals. I am frenzied, hyper, and a bit overwhelmed. Luckily, Beth is keeping me sane and the American Red Cross has given me a procedure book about what to do next.
Oh yeah, I also know that St. Thomas is trying to organize something. I f you would liek to help through them, I think you can contact Mike Netzel, Michael Balhoff, or the mother's club.
I also can't believe the kindnesses shown me by the running community of Houston. New SHOES! New heartrate monitor! ...I love the running community: Kathleen Woodhead, Lisa Foronda, Kristin Necessary, Will Nash, Tri on the Run, Power in Motion, Luke's Locker, the Kenyan Way, and all people connected with these groups -these people are tremendously powerful ambassadors of great will -absolute love incarnate. ... I should point out that this generous maneuver on their part has forever ensured my devotion to the sport. …My doctors will thank these beautiful people later. …They are absolutely beautiful by the by.
And speaking of unexpected and surprising joys, even some of my old students and their families are organizing something. I am speechless …all evidence to the contrary.
Now naturally, the members of my entire family all are very supportive and have taken point. Jen Green Sanders wants to hear from everyone who would like to contribut to my situation. She too swears not to go to Vegas. My older sister Sherry has written a very flattering ….almost too flattering story expressing her gratitude for the small miracles of the day. God love her. THe Welches, the Sauers, the Uncle Steve, the Hills, Aunt Susan, the Bourjaily's, the Joe Greens, the Anonettis, and everyone inbetween, you are all wonderful.
And finally, special blabbering thanks as well to my friends from all over the world (points to Tony who sent me something from the farthest point ...so far) ...All of you are amazing.
Anyway, here's where I am right now:
1. Red Cross. ...The Red Cross woman advised me to approach certain decisions slowly. It's like she took one look at me and knew that I was unorganized and frazzled. ...This time of course I have an excuse. ...God love her. The Red Cross explains what and where to go as best as possible. I've contacted my mortgage company, the insurance people, the utility people, etc. I’m going through the steps to insure that I do this correctly. For all of my accountant friends out there, this time I am keeping my receipts!
2. Searching for stuff: I'm going to the townhome tomorrow after work and I will salvage what I can. All I really want is to look for five things -some special books with wonderful inscriptions from family (which are probably destroyed by the fire, the fire hose, or the smoke), a religious icon from Greece, a painting by my Aunt Tag, a quilt given to me by the STH Drama students and family, and a knife I was given by my dad when I became an Eagle Scout. ...I promise I have reconciled myself to their destruction.
3: Fun Things I am missing (fun stuff / special stuff): As far as things I am missing go, I feel foolish about the insurance situation. No contents, only structure. Yes, I know I'm an idiot. I just am.
But if you really must know what I miss, it's simple.
I miss the guitar.
I miss the irreplaceable keepsakes.
I miss the books.
I miss the music collection.
I miss the film collection.
4. Things I need: At this point in time, I can't give specifics as to what to buy. I need to find a residence before I can even consider what to put into it. However, many of you are offering to help and I am so very touched. I can tell you that the best thing that you could do for me right now is help with gift cards to Lowes, Home Depot, or even some cash. I promise I'm not going to Vegas ...tomorrow. No really, I'm not going to Vegas. ...I don't trust my luck anymore!
5. THE PRACTICAL LIST: Beth Breuer has suggested something very wise. For those of you who wish to help by giving hand-me-down furniture and lamps, etc. this is for you. Please post below what you might be able to part with. A log will be kept to help itemize the various offerings for a kitchen, a bathroom, a living room, a bedroom, a BAR, an arboretum, a lava lamp room, etc. It will probably take me a month or two before I can even start thinking about the entire place, but as soon as I have a place to store said items, I will contact you. Looking for storage space is already in the works thanks to my good friend and colleague, Mike Netzel. I think this is very practical. This is why I know I never would have come up with the organization myself. God bless organized people.
PEACE,
I'm going to go play with my dog.
DAN
And for the record,
I miss the journals I kept since age 17.
I miss the letters I got from all of my friends which I have kept since my senior retreat in high school ...everyone of them!
I miss the autographed Craig Biggio baseball given to me by one of my old students (but maybe I can get a new one of those).
Bye for real."
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