There will always be those who are willing to help in any way they can and for that we should be always grateful.
How do I unwind? I write articles here on in other platforms. If not, I'd be out walking along the roads of the city or the trails or parks. Walking is my exercise and I like taking long walks.
It's another weekend and here I am joining THE WEEKEND prompt. You can check it here.
It was a rainy night back in August 24, 2020. We were in our apartment having had dinner and relaxing that time. A friend of my brother chatted him asking about our house and what color was it. Apparently, from where this friend is, he can see a house on fire. My brother was not concerned at first for maybe the friend has mistaken our house.
I tried contacting our other siblings and my mom but no one was replying.
Then, our cousin chatted me asking my whereabouts. I said was in our apartment with my brother. That's when she informed me that our house was burning. Our house and my cousin's are next to each other.
That's the time that we were alarmed. My cousin then sent me a photo of the situation then and my heart sank as I saw thick black smoke coming out from every opening of our house. I can some people in the picture, probably my sister and brother-in-law.
I then called my other brother and told him what's happening so he headed there right away.
For me and my brother, we can't do anything. Lockdowns and restrictions were implemented that time due to COVID. We can't just go out and go wherever. Those times one has to have pass to present to border securities. We don't have that. Also, public transport is not available that hour. We don't have a car so we rely on public transport.
I then kept in contact with my other brother about the situation. I was able to call my mom but she was in panic and had anxiety attack so I can't talk to her. I tried my other sister who lives there but even she was shocked by it. Our ailing grandfather was also their and he was so heartbroken to see our house go down. It was a traumatic experience for everyone.
The next day, me and my brother had to go to the local officials to ask for certification that will allow us to pass security checks. Good thing we were able to secure passes so we headed straight home.
Our home for more than 30 years have burned down to the ground. Every important thing destroyed. Every important papers gone. Nothing was saved except for the clothes they have on and cellphones plus a TV.
What happened was the fire started from our other neighbor and because of the proximity of our house and the direction of the wind, our house caught on fire too. My family tried to do what they can to hopefully prevent the house from burning but they did not anticipate everything. They were focused on one area where they think it will most likely catch fire but they haven't thought of other areas and that's where the fire made its way. There was no other choice but to leave and save themselves and watch in horror from a distance.
It was at this time that other neighbors offered their help. Many opened their homes for our family to stay temporarily. Most were housed in one of our neighbors and we also had to use more of their space to store donated stuff. Our head barangay official was there the next day and the succeeding days doing what his best to send as much help and manpower to clear the debris, help start build a new home and provide any other assistance.
Aside from immediate neighbors, there were churchmates, relatives, friends and strangers who reached out and gave donations and others offered their prayers. There were those who messaged us and offered their kind words of comfort. Help poured in from the start to this day. All these were accepted with open arms and with a grateful heart.
What we are most grateful for is that no life was taken that tragic night. We are thankful that it did not happen in the middle of the night while everybody is asleep.
Our family was traumatized and at a loss of what to do, where to go, how to start. Some of them were laid off when pandemic started. We were all worried what to do next but because of the generosity of others, we were able to move on. Because of the comfort and prayers we have received, we found our strength. We will be forever in the debt of those who extended their help.
Some of our bibles including this poster made by one of niblings from a previous church/school activity were spared from the fire and it's a reminder to us.
It's been two years and our house is not yet nearly finished but we continually build our new home. There have been delays due to restrictions, the availability of workers but most especially due to the lack of funds to buy materials but slowly but surely, our new home will be built.
This is my #weekend-engagement for today. Thanks 
Anyway, happy weekend!
