"We don’t always know what’s ahead. I never would have imagined we’d be where we are now."

Rose Williams, Special Education teacher at Sherrard High School, said she was overwhelmed by community support following the fire that ultimately claimed her childhood home last August. 

She didn’t have time to think about the treasure trove of irreplaceable family photos that were irrecoverable, along with family heirlooms like their wedding video, 8mm VHS homemovies. Her priority was to get what the family needed for the next few nights while they figured out what to do next.

“I went to Walmart barefoot, scrambling, trying to get what we needed before closing,” she said, of the night of the fire. The Red Cross provided a hotel room for her, husband Tim, their two school-aged children, and two dogs that same night and for another three nights.

She said it was stressful trying to think of everything they would need in the midst of the unknown damage caused by the fire that night.

“I had to think, what do I need right now to move forward for the next day - to two days.” She said they purchased pajamas and clothes for the next few days, toothbrushes, and other basic necessities - and with only 30 minutes to gather everything, it was hard to remember everything they would need.

In the following days, the losses claimed by the fire would add up. Including priceless heirlooms, many of their possessions and the home itself.

“I was literally born in the house,” she lamented. The WIlliams’ purchased it from her grandmother before she passed away.

“It wasn’t just my loss,” she said, even though her siblings had moved on, that house was the ‘home base’ of those precious family artifacts and get-togethers at holidays.

She said they were overwhelmed by community support. 

District-wide, school colleagues donated a total of approximately $600 to the Williams’ family. One colleague provided a vacant rental property to get them settled quickly while they waited to see what could be done moving forward.

Several other organizations, and family and friends, provided much-needed necessities for the Williams’, through donations of items, gift cards and cash.

"It was just heartbreaking for us to hear about Rose's situation. She is one of the most caring and compassionate teachers we have and we knew we needed to help her out - just as she would for anyone else. We are blessed to have such a thoughtful staff who truly embrace their colleagues as family,” said high school Principal Tim Wernentin.

It’s a grief that’s ongoing. With the changing of the seasons, Williams said she would remember certain decor items, “I realize I don’t have things anymore…” she said she’s had to reframe her thoughts to include the word ‘had’... she ‘had’ Christmas decorations. 

Every now and then she still remembers a specific item and reminds herself she “had” it, but doesn’t any longer.

After months of uncertainty, the family is now settled in their name home, a place Williams said, “Is our dream house. Without the fire, we never would have done it.”

But it came at a steep price - they had to say goodbye to the property that’s been in her family for generations. “To redo it all exceeded our insurance,” she said.

Their new home is a cabin-like, spacious with vaulted ceilings, a back deck overlooking picturesque forested acreage and overlooks the Mississippi River from the front.

“I never would have imagined we’d be where we are now… It’s awesome. Everybody’s got their own space now. It’s still hard. It’s bittersweet. Because my grandpa and grandma built it, I was born in it.

We loved our house. We built onto it and had done so much to it. I never would have left that house, I probably would have died there,” she said.

The Williams family has come a long way since the chaos of that first night when the fire claimed so many dear possessions, including the home itself. A certain sadness will shroud that season of their lives, but not without life lessons from their shared journey. 

“We don’t always know what’s ahead… Out of despair comes hope. Let yourself be open to new… Don’t be afraid of where life’s leading you.”