I Thought
I Was Organized
Sheila prided herself on being prepared. Every important document—birth certificates, insurance policies, bank statements—was neatly labeled and stored in a fire-resistant safe. She had spent years ensuring everything was in order, feeling confident that she had done everything right. Then came the fire.
It spread fast—too fast. Flames tore through their home, devouring everything in their path. In minutes, their lives were reduced to ash. The devastation was unbearable, but Sheila found a small comfort in knowing their essential documents were safe. At least they had that. Until she opened the melted remains of the safe. Nothing was left.
The next few weeks were a blur of phone calls, frustration, and endless paperwork. The insurance company needed proof of ownership, but receipts and policies had turned to dust. Mortgage documents, legal papers—gone. Replacing birth certificates, social security cards, and financial records became an exhausting scavenger hunt.
It took months to remember everything that needed replacing—and even longer to obtain it all. Some documents required notarized forms, others needed in-person visits to government offices, and many came with unexpected fees. Every delay, every missing form, added another layer of stress. Sheila thought she had been prepared for anything. She never imagined how much harder life could become when the very proof of her existence had vanished. She had trusted the safe to protect them. But nothing is truly fireproof.