We just lost our family store

Vickip · 15 Sep 2003, 19:49

Hi guys.

I'm truly sorry ... this isn't Meat Loaf related, but I've come to think of you as my friends and feel that I have to share this with you.

My parents own a flag store ... actually it started out as my Grandfather's Grocery store over 40 years ago, my father took it over as a Hardware store, and then switched it to flags a few years back when Desert Storm started.

We're located next to a creek, and had a major flood there about 4 years ago. At the time we thought we were going to lose everything, but managed to rebuild and move on. Well today I got a frantic phone call from My Parents ... the store was flooded again. They were standing there watching the water come in, and got out of there as quickly as they could. No sooner had they left when they found out that one of the walls had collapsed, and most of the windows were blown out.

They managed to get back over there ... and when they did, they said that the water outside was only about a foot lower than the roof ! They couldn't even see the air conditioning unit outside .... and when they looked inside, it was devastating. When my mother called me again from her car phone, I could hear my father crying in the background. The store was his life, and in an instant it was all gone.

My nerves are on edge .... and I feel so helpless. I'm sorry to burden you with this, but I just needed someone to talk to.

Time for me to put on some Meat music ... maybe that'll help cheer me up ..

Thanks for listening
Vicki

ROSIE · 15 Sep 2003, 19:53

I'm so so sorry it must be devasting for you and your parents

Rosie

CarolM · 15 Sep 2003, 20:01

Hi Vicki,im so sorry to hear this bad news your family must be devastated, working hard all these years to keep it going

.Hope everything works out ok
Carol & Neil

original sin · 15 Sep 2003, 20:13

Vicki
I am so very very sorry for you and your family. I cannot begin to imagine how you must all feel. Rather puts things into perspective.
Thank you for trusting us with your news

Sin xx

dottie · 15 Sep 2003, 20:39

Vicki, Why? your parents must be asking themselves, everyone here is so sad for you

They must be devastated, All of us send our hopes and prayers that somehow, someway your parents can get on their feet again.

Vickip · 15 Sep 2003, 20:48

Thank you everyone ... I really appreciate your support.
It just came up so unexpectedly .. we're still in a state of shock.
Thankfully no one was hurt .. that's the main thing.

And you're absolutely right Sin .. it really does put things into perspective.

Thanks again

Vicki

Crystal Eyes · 15 Sep 2003, 21:20

I'm so sorry to hear this terrible news. I hope everything works out okay for you and you're parents.
Crystal

Vickip · 15 Sep 2003, 21:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crystal Eyes

I'm so sorry to hear this terrible news. I hope everything works out okay for you and you're parents.
Crystal

Thanks Crystal .. I'm sure everything will be fine.

Vicki

shadow1000001 · 15 Sep 2003, 21:31

I'm really very sorry to hear about your parent's store. I hope that everything works out for the best for you and your parents.

Maria

sherrie87 · 15 Sep 2003, 21:36

Vicki,

I am so sorry to hear this! Thank goodness that your parents got out safely- in the end, that is the most important thing. My grandma's house of nearly 60 years burned down quite unexpectedly a few years back and it was so overwhelming- recovering personal items, handling insurance claims, just plain finding a place for her to live, but it helped to remember that the most important thing was that she had survived. I hope that you and your parents can find some peace in the near future.

Sherrie

Vickip · 15 Sep 2003, 22:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by sherrie87

Vicki,

I am so sorry to hear this! Thank goodness that your parents got out safely- in the end, that is the most important thing. My grandma's house of nearly 60 years burned down quite unexpectedly a few years back and it was so overwhelming- recovering personal items, handling insurance claims, just plain finding a place for her to live, but it helped to remember that the most important thing was that she had survived. I hope that you and your parents can find some peace in the near future.

Sherrie

I'm so sorry to hear about your grandma's house ... and I'm so glad she was ok. And thank you ... when it first started, my mother wanted to stay and try to stop it. But thankfully my father talked her out of it, and they managed to get out just in time ... I don't even want to think about what could have happened.

You're absolutely right ... the fact that we're safe and sound is all that matters. Thanks for your support ... and thank you too Maria !!

Vicki

little_dancer · 15 Sep 2003, 23:14

Vicki
I am so sorry...If you ever need to talk, please feel free, my heart goes out to you and your family.
Leah

Vickip · 15 Sep 2003, 23:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by little_dancer

Vicki
I am so sorry...If you ever need to talk, please feel free, my heart goes out to you and your family.
Leah

Thanks Leah .. I really appreciate it.

Vicki

Bren · 16 Sep 2003, 00:14

So sorry to hear this Vicki,..my thoughts are with you.

Bren

Bigmomma · 16 Sep 2003, 00:15

vicki, i am so sorry for you,
it is just so lucky they didnt try and do anything to stop it or
the news could have been so much worse..
as it is we can all be thankful that no one was hurt, yes it is
terrible news but one of my mottos is "your health is your wealth".
your parents may not think this right now but soon they may.
as they will be needing every bit of there health to carry on.
kezzina

RSG · 16 Sep 2003, 01:51

OH GOSH!! I am terribly sorry. I can't believe something like that would happen. I know I don't own a store or anything, but geez. All I can say is that I am very sorry, and I really FEEL for you and your family. I hope one can help you out. I really don't know much I could do. So, I will keep your family in my prayers tonight. I hope everything works out very soon. Again, sooo Sorry!

Vickip · 16 Sep 2003, 02:44

Thank you so much everybody ... your thoughts and support means a lot to me.

Just a brief update .... we went over there tonight, and they roped off the parking lot in front of the store and wouldn't let us inside. One time we tried walking over to it, and I had to grab my mother's arm before she got arrested. There were flags every where ... and the wall on one side of the building was completely buckled out on the bottom. We couldn't see the other side of the building, next to the creek (it was too dangerous). But a police officer said the wall was completely caved in .... so at this point we don't know how much structural damage was done, or even if they're going to condemn the building. Just have to wait and see I guess ...

Thanks for listening and caring .. it really means a lot to me and my folks.

Vicki

Testify · 16 Sep 2003, 19:19

I dont know what to say. All i can say is that im thinking of you and your family and i hope everything will turn out ok.

Best wishes Testify

Pixiedust · 16 Sep 2003, 20:37

vicki, i am so sorry for you all.
big momma told me last night and i was so shocked.
my prayers are with you all.
pixie

Jen · 16 Sep 2003, 21:18

Vicki

Really sorry to hear this, hope you're able to get everything sorted out, just glad no-one was hurt.

Jen

Vickip · 17 Sep 2003, 01:54

Thank you Testify, Pixie, and Jen
My folks and I really appreciate your concern and support.

You're absolutely right Jen .. thankfully no one was hurt.

I always say that God works in mysterious ways. Both of my parents are in their 70's and have worked hard all their lives ... so I think the flood was just his way of saying it was time for them to finally retire and enjoy themselves. We salvaged what we could today, and hired a cleaning / restoration company to take care of the rest of it for us. Eventually we'll get to the point where we can have a going of business sale.

Of course then comes the real scary part is I'll have to get a real job ... do you think Fire Ball has anything available ?

Well it was worth a shot :) Actually I'm thinking maybe retail sales or website design .. who knows.

Thank you so much for all your concern. We just take it one day at a day, and we'll be fine.

Love you all!
Vicki

heat · 19 Sep 2003, 03:56

Vicki,

I've just read your news and felt that i wanted to let you know that my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I know that there isn't anything practical i can do, but i just wanted to let you know that i'm here for you.

Hope things start to work out for you soon.

Vickip · 19 Sep 2003, 04:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by heat

Vicki,

I've just read your news and felt that i wanted to let you know that my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I know that there isn't anything practical i can do, but i just wanted to let you know that i'm here for you.

Hope things start to work out for you soon.

Thank you Heat ... we really appreciate it.

It's going to take a long time. We're meeting with a building inspector on Monday to check on the structural damage, and thankfully we hired a cleaning / restoration company to take care of everything else. Of course hurricaine Isabelle isn't helping any

... we're being hit hard with the rain and wind tonight

Thanks again for your concern
Vicki

Louise · 19 Sep 2003, 12:00

so sorry to hear this, Vicky. I wish you and your parents better luck for the future. Glad you're all still alive and well though, that's the main thing.

love and hugs,
Louise xxx

Vickip · 19 Sep 2003, 15:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Louise

so sorry to hear this, Vicky. I wish you and your parents better luck for the future. Glad you're all still alive and well though, that's the main thing.

love and hugs,
Louise xxx

Thanks Louise.
We're just taking it one day at a time, and I'm sure everything will work out fine. You're absolutely right ... we're all ok, and that's the main thing.

Love and hugs to you too,
Vicki xxx

15 Sep 2003, 19:49	#1
Vickip Mega Loafer Join Date: 07.02.2003 Location: Posts: 8,101	We just lost our family store Hi guys. I'm truly sorry ... this isn't Meat Loaf related, but I've come to think of you as my friends and feel that I have to share this with you. My parents own a flag store ... actually it started out as my Grandfather's Grocery store over 40 years ago, my father took it over as a Hardware store, and then switched it to flags a few years back when Desert Storm started. We're located next to a creek, and had a major flood there about 4 years ago. At the time we thought we were going to lose everything, but managed to rebuild and move on. Well today I got a frantic phone call from My Parents ... the store was flooded again. They were standing there watching the water come in, and got out of there as quickly as they could. No sooner had they left when they found out that one of the walls had collapsed, and most of the windows were blown out. They managed to get back over there ... and when they did, they said that the water outside was only about a foot lower than the roof ! They couldn't even see the air conditioning unit outside .... and when they looked inside, it was devastating. When my mother called me again from her car phone, I could hear my father crying in the background. The store was his life, and in an instant it was all gone. My nerves are on edge .... and I feel so helpless. I'm sorry to burden you with this, but I just needed someone to talk to. Time for me to put on some Meat music ... maybe that'll help cheer me up .. Thanks for listening Vicki

16 Sep 2003, 01:51	#16
RSG Mega Loafer Join Date: 27.07.2003 Location: Canada Posts: 3,296	RSG OH GOSH!! I am terribly sorry. I can't believe something like that would happen. I know I don't own a store or anything, but geez. All I can say is that I am very sorry, and I really FEEL for you and your family. I hope one can help you out. I really don't know much I could do. So, I will keep your family in my prayers tonight. I hope everything works out very soon. Again, sooo Sorry!

15 Sep 2003, 19:53	#2
ROSIE Invisible again! Join Date: 30.06.2003 Location: Suffolk Posts: 1,240	I'm so so sorry it must be devasting for you and your parents Rosie

15 Sep 2003, 20:01	#3
CarolM Mega Loafer Join Date: 15.06.2003 Location: Near The End Of The Line Posts: 1,498	Hi Vicki,im so sorry to hear this bad news your family must be devastated, working hard all these years to keep it going .Hope everything works out ok Carol & Neil

15 Sep 2003, 20:13	#4
original sin Sinner Join Date: 15.04.2003 Location: cyber space Posts: 2,457	Vicki I am so very very sorry for you and your family. I cannot begin to imagine how you must all feel. Rather puts things into perspective. Thank you for trusting us with your news Sin xx

15 Sep 2003, 20:39	#5
dottie queen post- whore extraordinaire Join Date: 29.01.2003 Location: Still Rockin' at "72" Posts: 13,181	Vicki, Why? your parents must be asking themselves, everyone here is so sad for you They must be devastated, All of us send our hopes and prayers that somehow, someway your parents can get on their feet again.

15 Sep 2003, 20:48	#6
Vickip Mega Loafer Join Date: 07.02.2003 Location: Posts: 8,101	Thank you everyone ... I really appreciate your support. It just came up so unexpectedly .. we're still in a state of shock. Thankfully no one was hurt .. that's the main thing. And you're absolutely right Sin .. it really does put things into perspective. Thanks again Vicki

15 Sep 2003, 21:20	#7
Crystal Eyes Super Loafer Join Date: 09.07.2003 Location: In the clouds Posts: 649	I'm so sorry to hear this terrible news. I hope everything works out okay for you and you're parents. Crystal

15 Sep 2003, 21:31	#9
shadow1000001 Mega Loafer Join Date: 10.07.2003 Location: Red Deer, Alberta, Canada Posts: 2,580	I'm really very sorry to hear about your parent's store. I hope that everything works out for the best for you and your parents. Maria

15 Sep 2003, 21:36	#10
sherrie87 Mega Loafer Join Date: 20.02.2003 Location: Largo, FL Posts: 1,262	Vicki, I am so sorry to hear this! Thank goodness that your parents got out safely- in the end, that is the most important thing. My grandma's house of nearly 60 years burned down quite unexpectedly a few years back and it was so overwhelming- recovering personal items, handling insurance claims, just plain finding a place for her to live, but it helped to remember that the most important thing was that she had survived. I hope that you and your parents can find some peace in the near future. Sherrie

15 Sep 2003, 23:14	#12
little_dancer Super Loafer Join Date: 23.06.2003 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 363	Vicki I am so sorry...If you ever need to talk, please feel free, my heart goes out to you and your family. Leah

16 Sep 2003, 00:14	#14
Bren The Bat Join Date: 23.03.2003 Location: Roosting on a Silver-Black Phantom Bike. Posts: 10,017	So sorry to hear this Vicki,..my thoughts are with you. Bren

16 Sep 2003, 00:15	#15
Bigmomma Super Loafer Join Date: 07.07.2003 Location: Somewhere in time in my mind......... Posts: 655	vicki, i am so sorry for you, it is just so lucky they didnt try and do anything to stop it or the news could have been so much worse.. as it is we can all be thankful that no one was hurt, yes it is terrible news but one of my mottos is "your health is your wealth". your parents may not think this right now but soon they may. as they will be needing every bit of there health to carry on. kezzina

16 Sep 2003, 02:44	#17
Vickip Mega Loafer Join Date: 07.02.2003 Location: Posts: 8,101	Thank you so much everybody ... your thoughts and support means a lot to me. Just a brief update .... we went over there tonight, and they roped off the parking lot in front of the store and wouldn't let us inside. One time we tried walking over to it, and I had to grab my mother's arm before she got arrested. There were flags every where ... and the wall on one side of the building was completely buckled out on the bottom. We couldn't see the other side of the building, next to the creek (it was too dangerous). But a police officer said the wall was completely caved in .... so at this point we don't know how much structural damage was done, or even if they're going to condemn the building. Just have to wait and see I guess ... Thanks for listening and caring .. it really means a lot to me and my folks. Vicki

16 Sep 2003, 19:19	#18
Testify ragamuffin Join Date: 21.05.2003 Location: xxx daydreaming xxx Posts: 5,023	I dont know what to say. All i can say is that im thinking of you and your family and i hope everything will turn out ok. Best wishes Testify

16 Sep 2003, 20:37	#19
Pixiedust Rookie Join Date: 14.09.2003 Location: Bottom of the Garden Posts: 20	vicki, i am so sorry for you all. big momma told me last night and i was so shocked. my prayers are with you all. pixie

16 Sep 2003, 21:18	#20
Jen Arrrgh! Join Date: 01.03.2003 Location: Edinburgh Posts: 2,938	Vicki Really sorry to hear this, hope you're able to get everything sorted out, just glad no-one was hurt. Jen

17 Sep 2003, 01:54	#21
Vickip Mega Loafer Join Date: 07.02.2003 Location: Posts: 8,101	Thank you Testify, Pixie, and Jen My folks and I really appreciate your concern and support. You're absolutely right Jen .. thankfully no one was hurt. I always say that God works in mysterious ways. Both of my parents are in their 70's and have worked hard all their lives ... so I think the flood was just his way of saying it was time for them to finally retire and enjoy themselves. We salvaged what we could today, and hired a cleaning / restoration company to take care of the rest of it for us. Eventually we'll get to the point where we can have a going of business sale. Of course then comes the real scary part is I'll have to get a real job ... do you think Fire Ball has anything available ? Well it was worth a shot :) Actually I'm thinking maybe retail sales or website design .. who knows. Thank you so much for all your concern. We just take it one day at a day, and we'll be fine. Love you all! Vicki

19 Sep 2003, 03:56	#22
heat Rampant Loafer... Join Date: 29.07.2002 Location: welshy wales Posts: 5,706	Vicki, I've just read your news and felt that i wanted to let you know that my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I know that there isn't anything practical i can do, but i just wanted to let you know that i'm here for you. Hope things start to work out for you soon.

19 Sep 2003, 12:00	#24
Louise Super Loafer Join Date: 23.04.2003 Location: East Yorkshire, UK Posts: 235	so sorry to hear this, Vicky. I wish you and your parents better luck for the future. Glad you're all still alive and well though, that's the main thing. love and hugs, Louise xxx