Sifting Through the Ashes

On Friday, February 10th 2012 as many of you know a fire destroyed our centuries old barn located on Young Road in Slippery Rock Township. I wrote an article regarding the memories of the barn and now I write once again in regards to those who have reached out to us during this time. While we began sifting through the ashes of the burnt barn we were amazed at not only how hard it was for us to resurrect the old memories left behind by the fire but also by the support that we received from those in our community. Much of what I will write now is because of my nephew Jacob Reese; for while there are those who came to help because of those of us who had come before him, it is his time, his group of friends and his time in the community and 4-H that has compelled many to reach out to the family.

It has been over a week since we lost our barn. During that time we have witnessed not only the love of a community but the compassion given by so many. As our parents arrived home late Monday night we prepared ourselves to begin sifting through the ashes of our beloved friend. We relived the devastation that we had witnessed with our parents the following day, slowly walking through the barn; seeking any semblance of items that we had lost. Our hearts broke again with each animal that was found in their stalls or the aisle way. With each new day we witnessed the love of our community push back the heartaches. Old friends, neighbors and family came to share in our grief and deliver glimmers of hope with gifts to help in the rebuilding of our heirloom. Teachers at Laurel High school put together a gift to help purchase new animals as the Neat Kids Goat Club and the FFA work towards organizing fundraisers. My typical third Friday of the month night out at Whiting’s Auction barn turned into a rush of emotions as Duke Whiting announced that they were going to fill a large box to help us in regaining much of tack that was lost. The attendees did much more than that as not only was the box full but also a large muck bucket. Beside this there were buckets and two bags of oats for the animals. This lifted my heart because the day had been spent sifting through the ashes preparing for a full day of work on Saturday.
As I arrived at the farm Saturday morning my brother-in-law Rusty Reese was already there with dad moving much of the metal that had been thrown from the shell of the barn.
At 8:00 am there were 10 people there and by the end of the day over 50 people had shown up. As each person began sifting through the ashes old treasures were found. Some were unusable but they brought back memories. The old bell that once hung by the house had been put in the barn because of a broken bracket was pulled from the ashes intact. We brushed off the soot and carried it to the wagon. Horseshoes that had not been on a hoof in years were pulled from the ashes and placed in a pile to keep as reminders. As each piece was pulled out of the ashes more people would show up; some to help with the work while others simply dropped off food and drinks for those who braved the smoke and ashes. By noon there were over 30 people there and two tables of food and deserts for the volunteers. Pizza Joes in Portersville brought out pizza and pops to help feed the help. Each had their own story for being there. Some because of what the barn had meant to them while others were there because of what it had meant to those in our family.
As the debris was removed there became less work for those of us who weren’t operating the equipment that was provided for the cleanup so the time was spent sharing stories of our time in the barn, watching the track hoe and skid steers push the remaining debris out of the foundation that was left. As the day wore on and the work load lightened some left while others couldn’t seem to bring themselves to leave and while there was laughter in the remembrance of stories there was also tears in knowing that the big red barn was gone forever. For now the old brick silo still stands but we know that it will soon come down because the fire has weakened it to the point that it now poses too much of a safety hazard to the grand-kids to leave up.
One by one as friends, family and neighbors left, those that remain commented on how many people showed up to help; amazed at the support of our community and that so many would give up their Saturday to come sift through the ashes. For while years ago this would be the norm in today’s world we see so little of it and while we might see it in large disaster areas we seldom get the opportunity to realize it here in our own little piece of the world. The heart of a community lies not in its political standings or the wealth that is within it; but in the love of those who reside in it who are not afraid to reach out and lift up a neighbor during times of trouble. It is within those who are not afraid to sacrifice of themselves for the benefit of others and those people showed up on Saturday and every day since the fire and I am sure they will continue to show up in the days to come. For all those who have reached out to us, we thank you and appreciate your love and support more than you will ever know.

Mom and Dad would like to extend a personal thanks to all who have reached out to them at this time, as would Jacob.

Here is a video of all the photo's that were submitted to the paper and didn't get printed.