May 8th, 2005 was the day that my house burned down when I was 15 years old. It's easy to remember the date because it was Mother's Day, and perhaps one of the worst Mother's Days I could have had with my mom. In fact the present I had for her perished in the fire, and I was dropped off at my dad's house while everyone was sorting themselves out. I don't think I got to spend any time with her that day.

Some nice things happened though.

I took my backpack with me that carried my homework, journals I wrote with, and a camera. I still have some pictures of the fire and its aftermath that I keep. Looking back I always thought there was something symbolic with the backpack since it carried my school stuff, and I cared deeply about my education and my life at school. My graduation date to get my master's degree will be on May 9th, 2015 one day after the ten year anniversary.

After the housefire I met Paupe. He has been one of my longest running friends. I also remember he told me at the time he was going to start taking his education seriously as well, and last I check he's gone leaps and bounds. We played games together and he was my early art mentor and I couldn't be more proud to know anyone else.

The FBLA replaced my state medal which I still have with me. Winning 3rd in state in accounting was one of the events that pointed me towards the career path I am currently on.

Many of the things in the housefire could not be salvaged. Of the things that were salvaged my grandmother's wedding band was still intact. She was a widow at the time. My grandmother is no longer with us which still hurts quite a bit, but we took the wedding band as a sign that Gramps was watching over her.

I feel like I've come a long way and my life's been very great. I have a bachelor's degree, I've done accounting work, and I am in a very stable environment. I still have nightmares and fear of fire and sometimes I think there's a fire in the house if I hear something like a patter, or see an orange glow in another room. I will probably never get over this, but I am just glad to know that my life isn't a nightmare, and you can move forward even after losing everything. I know the more years past the more distant this feels for me.

The house fire was perhaps the most major life event I've had so far, and I kind of hope I don't have to deal with something that big again for awhile. It's relieving to know this is behind me, and I can move forward with only the small paranoia that the world around me is going to spontaneously combust.