Fire! Fire!!

  

Weird things that happen DURING a building fire that you don't know about until it happens to *your* building.

1. Lots of firefighters show up to your house and know exactly what to do.
2. You stand outside of your house and suddenly feel like, "Surprise!!" it might not be your house after all.
3. Awesome neighbors come out of the woodwork. They offer tea (all of them) and introduce themselves and say they were worried about your children (which is very kind).
4. You learn which of your neighbors is diabetic.
5. You learn which of your neighbors has had a heart attack.
6. You worry about your child(ren) who look very scared and are obsessively rubbing your bracelet but saying they don't want to leave.
7. You learn that you really do care more about people than things.

Weird things that happen AFTER a building fire that you don't know about until it happens to *your* building.

1. Your water reeks of smoke. Turning on the faucet makes everyone gag. Huh? Yeah, I don't get that one either.
2. You're just a little bit afraid to go to sleep.
3. You think more about escape routes. Kind of a lot.
4. You re-live the fire and feel guilty for not having had as much damage as your neighbors.
5. You are grateful that your child was not hurt.
6. You are grateful that your child was not hurt.
7. You thank god that your child was not hurt.
8. You fall in love with the local firefighters. You resist stalking them. It is an uphill battle.