Fire Escape

So let's hang an anchor from the sun

There’s a million city lights  but youre number 1

 

You're the reason I'm still up at dawn

I was 3 years old when our house burned down.

 My sister was 9. My brother 6.

Mom and dad did everything they could to shield me away from the trauma.

My siblings remember the night when we arrived home.

Our house in flames.

We moved into a duplex.

During our stay there, I decided to hide one day.

Since I was born weighing 1 pound 6 ounces, I was a freakishly small child.

I remember being overwhelmed.

I remember wanting to get away.

So I climbed into my fathers guitar case and stayed in there.

I apparently didn't make a sound.

My mother had the neighbors looking.

And just as my father was about to call the police..

I popped out of the guitar case with joy.

"Here I am!"

I giggled my little head off.

And on July 21st - on my 4th birthday

We moved into our brand new house.

 I was convinced it was my birthday present.

My very own house!

When tragedy hits - when disaster occurs - I will never forget how the eyes of my family changed.  

I don't remember the fire - but I do remember how people reacted.

And how the littlest things suddenly became larger than life.

How certain things we take for granted were more appreciated.

Relationships to this day are so important to me.

And I am thankful for all of you at WC.

You mean the world to me.

Thanks for all the fun!

Author's Note

Reviews

[Anjali]

Wonderful story Kathryn! Human brains are focused on all the tough times and memories and hence we remember the tragic situations- this is so that we could be alert in the future.

A typing correction:

"So let's hang an anchor from the sun
There’s a million city lights but you're number 1"

Hope you find it as a guiding hand from your friend.

Regards,
Anjali

[D Connolly]

I also lost everything at one point, and where I was entitled and unobservant to the world around me before, I have a newfound respect for the little things, such as the Café! I love this

[Emily Mac]

Loved it! It was such raw material and the detail just made it that little bit better!

[R J Askew]

I love the guitar case detail and the smile on emerging.

[zaisham9393]

I love WC and your work :)!!
Thank you for sharing :)!!

[wordman]

so w/c is your fire escape to get away from reality into a world of magic and words

[Tom Wade]

An excellent story. When I was a teen our house burned down. We were almost a year rebuilding. Finally we moved in. Within it burned down again.

[Tony Jordan]

An amazing story. Sad, funny and poignant.
You're great craic Kathryn. Never letting Life get you down. Always battling back with a smile. Inspiring!
I want to echo Richard - you are loved.
:))

[Kathryn Smith]

Awww Tony. :') You're so kind. Thanks for loving me. ;) Youre very much loved right back. If you don't live life with a smile - you'll die. Easy as pie! Happiest girls are the prettiest girls after all! - (Audrey Hepburn)

[Richard🖌]

You've warmed and singed the core my heart with the sizzling sweetness of your beautiful soul, Kathryn, and your amazing story brimmed my eyes from the sheer depth of vivid reality … you're a literary treasure.
No one writes and expresses with the original imagery and emotion of your skillful pen, M'Dear Lady-Author.

You bless and pleasure us all — warmest, most grateful hugs to you, Sweet Kathryn … we love, appreciate, and enjoy you in every way! ⁓ Richard ; )

[Kathryn Smith]

Aw thanks Richard! :) (Hugs) ;)

[Richard🖌]

Aw, it's nuthin' ... blush!

[Valentine]

This brought to mind when my friends house burned down in Arkansas. They lost all but the thing they cried the most about was the loss of their children's pictures. Some memories just can't be brought back. Valentine

[Kathryn Smith]

That's so sad. :( I don't know my mom and dad got through. Tragedy makes you extra thankful at least. :)