Big scary fire. We’re lucky to even have half of our belongings left. It was so terrifying, and the damage is incredible. We’ve been displaced from our home for at least 90 days....and we are all kind of a wreck.

Today has been a rollercoaster ride, full of ups and downs... The bad news about our house and the items lost just keeps piling up, but it was offset by incredible strangers on twitter. (I’m @Mikeyvp on twitter) and posted about it there, and someone (a stranger in real life) but an online friend talked me into posting a Venmo, and i have been overwhelmed by kindness from complete strangers. While life sucks as it pertains to my current circumstances, I am convinced now more than ever that real people do not suck. Perfect strangers have donated enough to help with the essentials.

The main reason I post here is now I have a dilemma and heartbreaking “dad problem” and CB is the place for that.
My 8 year old was literally in the greatest place possible for Christmas. He literally was whistling Christmas tunes all day, actively (by himself) looking for ways to serve his little sister and us, and just straight out of a perfect model for the Christmas joy and spirit...Tonight as the news piles up, that our Christmas tree and all his sentimental ornaments are “unsalvageable” and we wont be in our home..or a house for Christmas (as it sits now) and all our Christmas traditions are off the table as he knows them... he is noticeably depressed, distressed, and tonight showing signs he was traumatized by the fire. (IT WAS REALLY SCAREY) He saw our kitchen in flames, with billowing smoke, and sprinklers in the ceiling. He’s had an anxiety attack tonight...something totally foreign for him.

I find myself unable to sleep, not because of the things lost, or even my own trauma. But I can’t sleep because it seems his innocence is at risk, and I have few idea of how to recapture Christmas for him this year.

I need your thoughts and encouragement. I ask because the wave of support i felt on twitter was really the thing that kept me going today. I’m swallowing my pride and simply asking for your support, encouragement and ideas.