The First Few Hours - September 19, 2014

When Christ visited the Nephite civilization in the Americas after his resurrection, he examined their records.  He had more scripture to reveal to them that he wanted them to write.  He also chastised Nephi for not recording the miracles that did occur in fulfillment of Samuel the Lamanite's prophecies about the Savior's resurrection, specifically that many rose from the grave.  We have had so many blessings through a rough year that I know we will be held accountable if we do not record them. I started to record them personally, but feel I need to record them publicly also to stand as a witness that there is a God in Heaven.  He loves his children and answers their prayers.  In fact, many things were put in place for us months and years before we even said the prayers.  He has blessings waiting for all of us, we just have to ask, seek, find and then recognize them.

Friday September 19, 2014

           

            It was 5 am and Richard and I had just woke up few minutes before.  Richard was getting ready to start on his scripture study for the day, but I was going back to sleep. Suddenly, there was a loud forceful sounding knock on the door.  We glanced at the clock again and went together with some trepidation to answer the door.  We could see a red flashing light through the window.  We opened the door and recognized the face of a friend.  He was with a stranger.  Seeing him put us at ease and confused us at the same time.  Did he need our help?  What was wrong?  Was something happening to our mutual friend that he thought we could help with?  Richard, being an attorney, made me think it was something to do with the law.  But what would bring someone to an attorney's door at 5am?  At least it was someone we knew, and not someone there to cause problems or harm.  These things go through a mother's mind when there's a knock on the door at such an hour.  Then the stranger introduced himself as the fire marshal and they gave us the news that the law office was on fire.

           The fire was mostly out when we got there; they were just mopping up and putting out the remaining hot spots.  We watched as the news crews filmed and commented on the fire.  It was odd to see them commenting on something they knew nothing about.  They didn't know us, they didn't know what this meant to us, and yet they were reporting on it and commenting on it.  We stayed away from them, wanting to be allowed our privacy as we attempted to comprehend our loss. At 6am, I got the first text.  It was from a friend expressing sympathy and offering to help.  Her husband had turned on the news while he was getting ready for work.  If an acquaintance hadn't been living in the apartment next door and brought the fire marshal up to our house, her text would have been our first clue that something was wrong.  From that moment on, our phones began to chime with many texts from dear friends who were now up and seeing it on the news, all asking what they could do to help. 

           

            As dawn approached, Richard began calling his staff to notify them not to come to work that day.  One of the attorneys that works for Richard came down to the scene to be with him.  The fire marshal came by to ask questions from time to time.  He, of course, started with his notebook and pen ready to take a list of names of people Richard might have offended.  He put it away when Richard pointed out that he was an attorney.  I offered to draw them a map of the office and they were grateful.  He had planned to wait until city hall opened to get blue prints of the building. 

           It was my turn driving the kids to seminary, an early morning scripture study class for my high school students.  I called a neighbor and friend I knew I could count on.  She often has problems with insomnia, but I am so blessed she is my friend.  She got up and took my boys to seminary and then went back to my house to make sure the kids were ready for school.  Of course, it was picture day. I actually remembered this year and had planned to send the kids looking the part.  Usually I forget and it's the day they run late and get out the door without their hair done.  So she even tried to make sure they looked decent.

            Just before 8am, one of our sons called.  He'd forgotten his dress clothes for extra credit in English and some other things he needed for school. Richard finally was calm enough to try and eat something and to walk away from the scene for a short while.  He and John, the attorney, went to get breakfast at Mr. V's, a family diner a block from the office, and to begin to talk over "what now?". I ran home and took our son his clothes and showered and gathered up some clothes for Richard more appropriate for the day.  I smelled like fire just from sitting in the car watching and standing in the street.  I threw in pillows and laptops and everything he might need to run a grand central station comfortably from the car.  I knew he wouldn't be able to tear himself away from the fire.  He'd been going to take me home to get the kids off to school, but then decided he couldn't leave the scene. Fortunately, our reliable friend did that for me.

           By the time I was done cleaning up and getting the kids's stuff to them and everything for Richard, he had relocated.  Starting at 7 am, attorneys had begun calling offering their conference rooms and/or extra office space and whatever else he might need and support.  Michael Jacques' wife saw the news and told her husband to call and help us.  Richard set up a temporary office in Michael's conference, basement, and a spare upstairs office.  I ran about buying printers, papers, and a few staple office supplies.  Richard, Miguel, and the attorneys began planning for the future and preparing for notifying clients and opposing attorneys.  Judges instructed clerks to do whatever necessary to accomodate them in moving upcoming court dates and deadlines.  Attorneys called and agreed to automatic extensions for as long as necessary.  (All except for one.)