In a single moment, the fire took away everything we cherished — our sense of safety and the home we had been building with love for years. Although none of us were hurt, that day split our lives into “before” and “after.” The place that was once the heart of our family now stands damaged, cold, and silent. We look at the walls that once held our laughter, our children’s voices, our holiday memories... and it’s heartbreaking to see them frozen in the moment of tragedy.

The destruction is overwhelming. The roof must be completely replaced, and the rooms — flooded during the firefighting efforts — require full renovation. These are not just repairs. This is an attempt to rebuild the space that once gave us warmth, love, and the comforting feeling of always having a place to return to. The cost of rebuilding is far beyond our means.

We are parents of three children who live in a boarding school during the week. For them, this house is everything — a refuge where they can breathe, feel safe, and simply be together. What hurts the most is knowing that right now we cannot give them what they deserve most: a secure, loving home. We miss the sound of their footsteps on the stairs, shared meals, and the echo of their laughter filling the rooms.

Christmas is just around the corner... a time that always meant warmth, a Christmas tree, family traditions, and being together. This year, instead of the smell of gingerbread, we smell dampness; instead of lights, we see burn marks on the walls. And yet, we still hold onto hope — that we can create even a small piece of Christmas for our children. That they can return to a place that, despite everything, still feels like home.

This is an incredibly difficult time for us, but we believe that with the kindness of others, step by step, we will rebuild what was lost — our family home, our safe place in the world.