Family home totally lost in fire.

Before i started this round the world trip i had to make the decision to sell my house and what to do with all my possessions, what to keep and what should go. I had to think long and hard about this and we somtimes create a too stronger bond to possessions than we should. For Mr and Mrs Kean and their teenage sons and daughter, they had no choices – whilst they were at work and their sons skiing the house they live in tragically caught fire.

I had met the Keans the evening before for the first time as the two dogs from the house where i am staying had run over the nearby frozen lake to the Keans house and Mike and i had driven over the hill to collect them. We drove up on top of a knoll where they had built a fabulous home on a plot with the most incredible view! They had designed and built this home with their own hands and with many personal touches. I met Mr and Mrs Kean briefly as we loaded one of the dogs from our house (being Jack – our other dog Jill had run back home), on leaving i mentioned how lovely their house was. Within 14 hours of this we had recieved news that the house had totally been lost in a fire and nothing had been saved,  and the very upsetting news was that three dogs had died in the house, two of thier own and one of their friends that they had been looking after.

Kristina Willing and myself decided to drive over to see what we could do. On arrival it was very upsetting because the house had completly gone – just the foundations and the last of the wood burning away. Kristana hugged them and quickly swung into action by asking if they needed coffee or food, they didn’t know what they needed but thought they would go to thier daughters house who lived over the road but was away in Vancouver. Kristina and i went into town to get coffee and and some lunch like salad and sandwiches, as well as a meal that could be put in the oven for later.

On our return to thier daughter’s home more friends had arrived to help so we stayed for lunch and to discuss who was going to help with what and the community help was starting to put its arms around the Kean family.

The “Smithers” community is incredible and i would also say that when i have been on my travels it has been all the small towns where i have had the biggest support. It is strange how you can live in a big city with so many people and not even know who your neighbor is. You only realize how warm and friendly small communities are because it is the best way to survive. They are not as competitive, usually have longer standing roots within the community and, most importantly, are very close to nature. 

Over the next couple of days they had been found a tempory home where they can have their own space again. All the family members, the adults and teens alike, have lost everything too.  Just think about it… you only have what you are wearing left in the world! Everything else has gone.

I had made my very first apple pie with pastry on the top and bottom layer with some assistance from Mike Willing. I made two pies, one for the Keans and one for us, i was not sure how it would taste but it sure smelt homely. Kristina Mike and myself took it to the Keans shelter home and we were welcomed in. They looked a lot calmer now and were amazed at the out pour of love from everyone, they opened cupboards in the kitchen and said “Just Look” full of food wow and furniture in the rooms too.

I know the Keans don’t know me well and i am a very transient figure to them and i have been thrown into a very strange relationship with them, one that is just another human wanting to do what feels natural… and it is good.

I want to send my love to the whole family and i wish you the best for what has been a very challenging start to 2009 but i know things will be ok for you.

Love Tim Dennis