Hope Amongst the Ashes: Southampton Residents Find Precious Memory in Fire-Ravaged Home

SOUTHAMPTON, NY - Just weeks after their family home was destroyed in a fire, Southampton's Terri Kiernan and Ann LaWall were given a sign of hope in the ashes.

Kiernan found a beloved memory unscathed after the blaze.

"The card that I found is my Uncle Chris's business card. A few days before he died in 2009 he signed a card for each of his nieces and nephews. When we arrived in Newport for his funeral services, one of his daughters gave them to us," she said.

Of her uncle, Kiernan said, "He was always very kind and nurturing, encouraging and faithful. As a Dean of Students and professor at Salve Regina University, that is what he did for students and colleagues anytime they sought counseling. By giving us that card, he was doing that for us one last time. I kept the card in my medicine cabinet so I saw it every morning. When I got into my house after the fire, it was sitting on the floor between my bed and bathroom door — the medicine cabinet was not on the wall or even recognizable, nor was anything else that was inside of it. Only my Uncle Chris's card."

And it wasn't the first moment of grace — LaWall's car also survived the fire.

The two, well-loved in Southampton, have faced the tragic blow with strength and humor, as well as gratitude that no one was hurt.

Kiernan and LaWall were in Florida on March 3 when they got the call that their family home was destroyed in the fire.

The fire broke out about 3 a.m. at their home on Seven Ponds Road, Kiernan said. "The cause is under investigation. There is no indication of foul play. It was just a very horrible accident," she said.

"It is very surreal at this point," she said at the time. "I'm so grateful that no one was injured. My dog Brando was there with my dog sitter and he is fine. The fire department is amazing —how hard they tried to salvage anything and they were dealing with absolutely horrible weather conditions."

Their family celebrated 40 years in their home this past December. "So many memories," Kiernan said.

Across the community, scores of heartsick friends have left messages of support and offers of help on Kiernan's Facebook page.

She responded to the outpouring in a Facebook message: "I cannot begin to express sufficient gratitude to every person who has been by the house, called, messaged, etc. to offer help, prayers and support today. By the grace of God no one was injured and my Brando is safe and sound. The stuff is just that — 'stuff'. A thousand thank yous to all of the awesome and amazing people that I know. God bless you all — my family and I are the ones who are truly blessed because of you."