This is me and my cousin, Colie (Yes, we made those glasses hot way before Yeezy). I’ve called her Colie since I was born…er…could talk. I wasn’t one of those weird babies born with a full set of teeth and vocabulary. We were the only two girls on a side full of boys.
She and her family took me in when my father was in a horrible, horrible accident and subsequent coma and my mother was 9 months pregnant with my brother. If that isn’t a Lifetime movie, I have no idea what is.
Today, she is a single mother to a gorgeous 11 year old boy, and two nights ago, they lost their home in a fire. That sentence doesn’t even touch the gravity of this, they lost everything, save for the clothes on their back. It’s now all they have.
By way of a miracle, they were not home when it happened, and two incredibly brave neighbors broke into their burning home to rescue their pets. Unfortunately, some did not make it.
I cannot fathom losing every possession I own, articulating to my kids that their home is gone, and also deal with the loss of family pets, and oh my God, seriously?
We are all so thankful they are safe, but just the sheer uphill battle and struggle of what lies ahead for them is…unimaginable.
I am not good at asking for things. I am just not made this way, and I could never ever ask for anything for myself, but I am trying to, like, get passed that fear to say, if anyone has just thoughts or prayers or whatever for them, please send them.
After asking twitter what to do in an emergency situation (you know, besides drink and hide in the crawlspace), I decided to put a donate button here for them. Because I have a lot of readers, and everything, even small everythings, when they join together, become a big something. And when you have nothing left, somethings are a big, big deal.
If you are a company that has an overabundance of gift cards and stuff lying about in need of a good cause, please contact me… BrittanyHerself@gmail.com
If you would like to help out in any other way, please email me… BrittanyHerself@gmail.com
And in return for your generosity, I’ll even draw and mail/email you a custom horse drawing of your choice, which….is obviously the best incentive to help ever. So if you pitch in, please comment or email me and let me know what kind of rad masterpiece I can create for you.
So, despite my extreme distaste for Haley Joel Osment, I am truly trying to embrace this whole pay it forward thing in the hopes that it makes up for me not going to church. And if there is anyone I would love to pay it forward for, it’s this lady.
Plus, I promise I won’t bug you for anything again, unless I need a kidney or my house burns down, in which case, I would like copious amounts of wine donated.
__________
UPDATE: To everyone, just….THANK YOU. Those two words seem so silly and overused,and they in no way convey what I want to say to you. The feeling is so big, it’s without words. And to say Colie and her son are grateful is an even bigger understatement. There were tears. All of us.
To everyone who reached out to me regarding WHAT they needed, I apologize for the delay responding, at the moment they are a bit transient, so they ability to store things is limited. They have no house…which is still just insane to say out loud. But it’s just…there’s nothing. So I am going to find out specific needs that they are able to “house.” If that makes sense.
I am headed down there on Sunday to drop things off, probably cry my face off, and be grateful for absolutely everything I have.
I have kept track of every person who has reached out and donated and emailed and everything, and I can’t wait to thank you all personally.
But for this moment, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you. I can’t wait to get down there Sunday and show her what you have all done for her.
{ 51 comments… read them below or add one }
What if I want a nudie pic, not a horse pic? Are those on offer?
A nude picture of ME or just any nude person?
No, no, definitely of you. Way more valuable. I could resell it and then donate the profits to Colie. Or just blackmail you with it. Or maybe keep it for my own private collection. I haven’t yet decided what to do with it. But I could get a naked picture of just any ol’ person anywhere thanks to the magical internets. What would I want with that? Sheesh. It’s like you don’t even know me at all.
May I share on my blog as well? I’ve done this before and my readers are quite giving.
Absolutely and thank you so, so much!
If you send me clothing sizes for her son and an address, I will gladly send some clothes for him. We just cleaned out my 12yo closet.
I’m not good at asking for help, either. Good for you for making it happen. Horse drawing unnecessary, I’ll just imagine a horse trotting around… I don’t know, my heart or something? I don’t know, I’m terrible at this stuff. I’m so sorry that your cousin lost so much, but I am SO glad that she and her son were not home.
I’ll steal the credit card from my husband, when he gets in the shower. I’ve been all, let’s donate shit, since I got pregnant. I have women’s clothes.. Size 7-8 jeans and probably some sweaters. And a sweet coat. I could send them somewhere, if she could use them. And my sister had two sons that goto Jesus school, so they don’t wear real clothes, and I could get her to give me some shit.
Thank you and I will email you about the clothes!
Bless you sweet girl! I donated and even prayed because what they surely need now is strength and courage. This happened to my sister so I understand a bit of the nightmare. I also understand your hesitation and am right there with you re: not asking for anything for myself. That said I will send you cases of the good stuff if you ever need it!
Thank you SO MUCH! Just for future reference, I wear a size Moscato, but can sometimes fit into a Reisling. ha.
Keeping that Moscato in mind. I personally am a large Pinot Noir with a chaser of quality dark chocolate because I am on a health kick.
so sorry for your cousins loss…
Thank you.
I’m so sorry for your cousin’s loss. It’s not much, but I did donate something for them. Please let us know if there are specific things they may need.
Absolutely, and thank you so much!
I’d like to share this on my blog, too – if that’s okay.
Yes, and thank you so much for doing so!
This is how the world should work. When people are in need of the most basic things, we should not hesitate to give whatever we can. I’m sorry I could not give more, but I’m praying that your cousin & her son will rise above this difficult situation. I’m an avid reader of your blog, so please give us an update from time to time.
I certainly will, and I could not agree more, this is how the world should work, we all have something good to offer, even if it has nothing to do with money.
I love you for your comment, and thank you so much!
I was feeling lazy and thought we’d drive through for breakfast until I read this. Donated the money we would have spent and cooked the kids breakfast at home instead. Reminded me I’m lucky to even have a kitchen to cook in.
You are amazing, thank you so much for this!
I don’t want a picture. Personally, I’d like to see an entire post on why Michigan can suck it. Or you know, maybe a drawing of a narwhal with the herp.
Oh you GOT IT!
An outpouring of love just happened for myself and my 3 year old daughter last week. My daughter has CP and my insurance company does not want to approve Botox injections for her. Thanks to the internet, my friends raised almost $1200 in a short amount of time. I will be giving some of that back to your cousin. Please let me know if there is something else I can do.
Can you give us sizing on clothes for them? And maybe what kind of stuff the kid is into? A little something can go a long way to brighten their days. I’ve donated what I can right now as far as money goes, but I have stuff I can surely send. I’m so sorry that happened to them. I can’t even imagine the pain and loss they are feeling.
That is so awful. I was actually thinking about this very thing last night when we were watching our local fire department’s show and they responded to a total loss house fire. I’m SO glad they weren’t home and that they’re safe.
Sent you an email, I can help out. I would like a purple unicorn please oh please oh please.
can you email me with your cousin’s size and what style of clothing she wears? i have quite a few friends who collect clothes like hoarders and would love to send some stuff along…
but i want to make sure it’s at least in the same ‘genre’ of clothes she likes.
(p.s.) i love your blog like ‘whoa’ and never comment. but i’m there. lurking.
(p.p.s.) that sounds way creepier than it’s meant to.
So, sorry that this has happened. When I was a kid we had a house fire and lost almost everything. I posted to facebook, but I will here too. I have sheets and towels that I have apparently hoarded, and can totally send them on if they can be used.
This is a reminder to all of us that it can happen to anyone. If you are buying your own your house, they make you have insurance. But, if you are renting, you should really have renters insurance. It doesn’t cost a lot, but it can remove some of the burden in the event of an emergency.
My love and thoughts to your family. This too shall pass.
I want to make sure your cousin has contacted the American Red Cross. They can help with emergency temporary housing and emergency supplies. Please wish your cousin the best.
Poor things, I donated what I could.
I will keep them in my prayers
I saw your tweet and it instantly broke my heart for your cousin and her kid. I am so glad you posted about it, because I was hoping there would be a way I could help. I am so sorry this happened.
I am so, very sorry. That is absolutely horrible. I am a schoolteacher, and this actually happened to one of my students last year so I know how what it’s like to feel completely helpless in the situation, especially when it’s someone you care about. I’ll DEFINITELY be donating…and praying too.
Love & Prayers,
Elizabeth
Like all others…really, really sorry to hear about this.
I live in Central Texas and have seen the effects of the fires around here this summer. It is simply amazing how fast Mother Nature can change the course of your life. Devastating just isn’t a strong enough word.
I have also seen how hands and hearts reach out to do whatever is necessary. Sure, it’s nice when you see commercials or newspaper write-ups about how big companies or big government is “coming to the rescue” but we all know, when it comes down to it, it’s “us” taking care of “us.”
Prayers and thoughts are with your cousin. With family like you, I have no doubt she will receive more love and support than she knows what to do with.
The Boy and I absolutely donated! But as much as we’d love a horse drawing of “Dogs Playing Poker,” we’ll settle for the good feeling we all get from helping good people in the midst of bad times.
I will try to donate something tomorrow…..when I get paid and there is actually something in my account. Being an under paid single mom ROCKS! But in the meantime I found this website the other day that may be able to help in some way if the goal isn’t met. http://www.modestneeds.org
Sending good thoughts their way
You are amazing, chicky. It’s tough to ask for help, but it is also an amazing lesson when you ask and peeps step up. Reminds you that there is good in the world.
I am making a dress for a little girl as we speak, and I will donate the price of the dress to your cousin. It’s not much, but I also offer my prayers and love as well.
God Bless your cousin and her boy, and I pray all of their needs are met and this becomes less a tragedy and more a huge lesson on the goodness of people.
Loves,
Bella
I always read your blog but never comment!
I gave what I could and posted about it on Twitter and Facebook!!
I said a prayer too!
Where is she located Bananas? Near us? I can donate stuff…
I just purged closets for donation. My son is 6, so probably not helpful, unless her son is a midget…but I do have some women’s fall/winter coats in size 10-ish, and a pair of killer bitch boots in 8.5. Probably a few pairs of pants in size 8-10, and shirts in M-L. If these sizes are close, I’d be happy to make a trip to UPS. Just let me know!
I’m so sorry about their terrible loss. Fire is absolutely terrifying but she’s so lucky to have an amazing cousin like you. I hope the little bit I was able to give will help. I also have some clothing if she needs. My son is only two so that won’t work for her son but between my mom and me we could definitely send along some items for her. I’m not sure if she would need work clothes but I could send that as well. If she could use a size 6, 8, or 10 I would be happy to go to the post office. Just let me know!
I have tons and tons of clothes for her and maybe her son too! Let us know sizes and where to ship!
I have tons of clothes I need to get rid of- in alllllll sorts of different sizes. Please let me know where to send them!
I am so sorry. I donated, wish it could be more.
I also have clothes that I can donate,and possibly a winter jacket or two. I can send them this weekend if she needs them immediately, or I can hold on to them until she gets settled into a place.
I just shared this on my FB wall! I also have a 12 yr old son and would be happy to go through his things and see what we can send! Please let us know sizes, household items, interests, etc. when you get that info!
How did I miss this? I am donating now!
Hey, I’m soooo sorry to hear about this: we have a friend of our church family who’s experiencing the same crisis. What’s more helpful: cash, gift cards, or items? Please let me know and I’ll definitely help out!
Done and done! Small donation, but I hope it will help somewhat. Prayers to your cousin and family!
Thanks for the update. I donated through Paypal the other day, but have some household items if she needs them. I am local to you, and could get them to you if necessary. Have a safe trip!!