I am so angry right now. I haven't posted here about the fact that my parents lost their house in the Bastrop fire. It's heartbreaking. They've been out of state all summer. The fire raged through their neighborhood on September 4th and 5th. We're not sure when it actually burned down but I don't think that really matters. We got unofficial word on September 7th that the house was gone. It showed up on the county's official list of destroyed structures the next day. We couldn't get in to see it for ourselves for another week. My parents weren't planning on coming back to town for another month or so but they changed their plans and started making their way back to Texas. Yesterday (the 15th) was the first day residents of the neighborhood were allowed back into the area. Jennie and I were in line before the gates opened and drove straight to the house. Here's what the house looks like:
Heartbreaking. Like I said. The outpouring of love and offers of help from family, friends, and even strangers, has been overwhelming. You cannot believe how much I've appreciated every gesture.
Jennie and I walked around the house, peering through the ashes, trying to catch sight of things that could be salvaged. Out by the well shed, I found this:
What is it? Melted aluminum from the riding lawnmower engine?...or something else in the shed? No idea really. But, it melted, trickled out of the shed and down a bit of slope until it resolidified. So pretty. I came close to picking it up and putting it in the back of the car. But, then I decided to wait. My parents were due in today and I thought they'd like to see it in its natural habitat.
They got to town about 3 this afternoon. I met them on the west side of town and we drove out to their property. We walked around and looked at a few things. I led them out to the shed to see the accidental art piece.
And...
Nothing. It was gone.
Some miserable excuse for a human being went out the house after Jennie and I left yesterday (or maybe this morning before neighbors came back to continue trying to pick up the pieces of their lives) and took it. I just can't get over it. I'm so very, very angry at this faceless person. There's so little left at the house. And, what will they get for it at a scrap yard? That's likely where it's bound, right?
Ugh. I'm just so angry.
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