by James Milton Sterling

Created on: July 19, 2008   Last Updated: March 26, 2011

How the Same Disaster Can Hit the Same Family Two Times

It is hard to believe that one family could have gone through the same disaster two times. At the present age of fifty-seven;

James can remember when he was only three years old when the first house fire happened. James lived with his mother

Christine, his father Barney, his brother Thomas, and his sister Alice in the country about fifteen miles from Groesbeck, Texas.

The house was at least five miles away from the nearest house and about one mile from a secondary road. The closest main

road was at least three miles away.

At the time of the fire, James' older sister Alice was at the age of five and a half years old, his brother Thomas was at the age

of four and a half years old.

James' dad;  Barney worked for a nearby farmer named Frankie Dee Freeman. James' dad left the house every morning at

sunrise and came back home in the afternoon just before the sun set over the horizon.

James' mom stayed at home taking care of her three children, Alice, Thomas, and James. She also did the daily household

chores such as cooking, house cleaning, laundry, and of course changing the diapers of her babies. James' mom was always

busy from sunrise until late at night. She had to do not only all of the chores around the house; but she also had a hard

working husband to take care of.

James' dad, Barney;  who worked very hard on one of the local farms was really tired every night when he got home; but he

always took enough time to spend with his wife Christine and his three children. James' dad liked to play dominoes, so he

would play dominoes with his wife as often as he could. He also took the time to get involved with the children games as often

as he could.

On one hot summer day; which James can still remember the day; even though he was only three years old at the time;

James" dad; Barney left for work at sunrise as usual. James' mom had prepared breakfast for Barney and a sack of lunch for

him to take to work as usual; since he would be at work all day, Christine would have breakfast with Barney, and then she would

make breakfast for her three children when they got out of bed. Once breakfast was over James; along with his sister and his

brother would go out in the front yard and play. James' mom Christine always wanted the children to play in the front yard so she

could see them at all times.

On this day the Sterling family would face a disaster which would have an impact on them for the rest of their lives.

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• Next Page >>