Everything happens for a reason, even if we do not know what the reason is at the time. One year ago the barn/recreation room I built in 2005 (that so many friends and family enjoyed) burned to ashes. Why?
I spent 8 months rebuilding, and saw that it was better than before.
He said “I want you to understand how this works, and be ready for what will happen next year.”
Now I see. Last Thursday, we lost our dream home in a fire that destroyed everything we had – tons of family photos, wedding album, my journals, my high school yearbook, my toothbrush, my shoes, my socks, my wife and children’s special stuff – all of it. All gone. All we had were the clothes on our backs.
I have faith that there is a reason for this. Everything happens for a reason – and it’s a good reason if you work to reveal it. I must work yet again and discover why. And I will.
What happened to you? Did you work to reveal the good reason?
Larry, I am sorry to hear about the recent fire to your dream home. Thank the good Lord you and your family are safe. You are a survivor and I am confident you will overcome these unfortunate obstacles. You are a great role model to many. I have you in my thoughts and prayers. God Bless. Roland Lapointe DES Seacoast
I myself lost my home to fire many years ago.I feel your pain, and understand. But in my eyes God Blessed you last Thursday , what is the most precious and irreplaceable you did not lose, your family. For me my lesson was just how valuable my family and life is. Life is short enjoy every minute!
Larry,
From your book, The Highest Calling, I learnt a lot about why things are happening to me the way they do. I learnt so much from you and what you have created that I must say you have inspired me in a lot of things. I don’t know why it is that people get inspiration from tragedies or bad things, but as long as we draw something positive from the tragedies, we will walk away as winners. And you are a winner. I believe that you will one day learn the reason and will benefit from it.
Greetings from Hungary.
Zoltan
I have never met you but feel as though I know you— connect with you every morning. My heart is aching for you and your family. I offer two points of truth. Psalm 34:18. The Lord is near to the broken hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. And Psalm 147:3. He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
May you feel His love in dark times and may those close to you be His hands and feet to help make your days better.
H K
Who is he? It says “He said . . . ” My question is simply who is that Larry is referring to?
Larry I am very sorry for your loss. You have been blessed with so many things and Rose was correct, who and what matters most has been sparred for you to enjoy for one more day! A blessing that many of us carelessly let go by without recognition or thanksgiving.
May the painful sting of the loss of the things that were part of your lives enrich you and your family as you embrace the new memories and things that mark your lives together.
The Janesky Family now has two days to call Thanksgiving in their calendar year. The one we all celebrate in the good ole USA and the day after “the fire”.
God bless you all
God Bless- So sorry to hear about this awful loss but so happy to hear that your family made it out safely! You have the right attitude- things, even precious things, are just things. In time, you can collect more things, but the important thing is that you still have your family and your Faith and this will carry you through. In the meantime, is there a place where you are accepting donations?
Warmest Regards
Jeremiah 29:11New International Version (NIV)
11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Dear Larry, I can certainly understand your feelings aver losing your personal items and photos…I lost my husband three years ago and some of his pictures were recently destroyed by the weather I guess and I broke down over losing them…like another little piece of him gone…the difference is, you have your family to look at in person and you can’t have more than that…you know the answers already as you share them with us each day, so just look inside of yourself and you will know that you will come out of this a stronger person. Maybe your family needed more from you and this is your opportunity to give them more love…I am sure it is painful for all of you, but just remember, you have each other and love gets us through…if there is any way I can be of help, I’m here for you! Peace be with you!
I thought about your journals almost right away after hearing about the fire…. 🙁
Thanks for the shout out to the firefighters. Being with one for 28 years, I know they take the huge losses like yours personally and commit much of there private/personal time to the fire service. It’s so like you to remember to thank them when the end result was not good. Keep up the positive attitude, I hope the family is doing as well as they can, poor kiddos!
Larry (Hef), my condolences for the loss of so many special items in your house. I am happy to hear you are all physically safe. You have helped so many people in your personal journey. Be accepting of the wonderful people you have around you offering their support. Recognize it is each one of them showing their gratitude toward you and the way you have chosen to live your life. Thank you for what you have done for me and I wish you well in the rebuilding process.
-Lawrence
Larry,
I heard what happened to you and your family and all we could think was, thank God you and your family are all okay. All our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Steve
Larry,
So sorry to hear of loosing your home. I’ve often wondered how it would feel to go through such displacing circumstances. I will be praying for you and your family during this time. I’ve come to learn everything happens for a reason as well. Thank you for the reminder to keep that mantra in the forefront of my mind. Gratitude and blessings,
Nicole
When “STUFF” happens There are a lot of ways I can look at it Is it happening to me or for me ? If I don’t understand it I say that the “cause is in the furure” meaning that whats happening now will be the reason I will do something greater in the future God Bless you and your family Tim
Larry, Sometimes circumstances in life happen that we just want to jump in an help and fix what is broken, to restore our lives to normalcy. Yet I know there are things in this life we can not fix even though our heart aches and our desire is to help those we love. This is one moment I wish there was something I could do to help but am powerless to restore what was lost. I am praying for you and your family that God will mend your hearts and comfort you through this difficult time.
I know you will rebound from this…you always do. Very thankful your family is safe and you are all OK.
Janesky Family
You have always been an inspiration to others and you continue to be extraordinary during this crisis. We can all learn a lot from your family – thanks for sharing Larry and thanks for helping us to “Think Daily”
“It’s not what’s happening to you now or what has happened in your past that determines who you become. Rather, it’s your decisions about what to focus on, what things mean to you, and what you’re going to do about them that will determine your ultimate destiny.”
Larry, I know you’ll work hard to find the why and become an even better person for it. My thoughts are with your family.
Larry, Elisabeth and I are so sorry to hear of your loss and glad that everyone is safe. We and the rest of the Snug Planet team are grateful for all your innovation and inspiration. Our thoughts are with you and your family.
I am very sorry to learn of this and know first hand through my families own house fire how devastating this is.
My thoughts are with you and your family during this.
You inspire me each morning. I am thankful that your loss is only material, though many mementos were losses as well. That does not mean you have no memories. They will remain with you, and you will be able to add to them. God bless you. Keep the faith, and you shall rebuild with His help!
Larry,
If there’s one thing I know about you from the past years, it’s that building — or rebuilding – houses has become a metaphor for the way you’ve lived your life. Whether it’s a literal house, the “home” you’ve built out of your company with your family of dealers, or the family you’ve embraced and provided for in your private life, creating “houses” is what you do.
I’m reminded of the story you shared to your dealers and team at your public speakings, talking about your early times in business, and how you built that house and worked through business-related debt, and how inspirational that story was to me when I heard it. I’ve also heard how you’ve found that in your time of need, so many doors have opened to you in so many different ways, by people who are ready to provide you with support and security. I have every confidence that you will overcome this — and make the best of this situation — as you have in the face of every other hardship you’ve confronted.
Sending you my best, sir, and wishing you well in these hard times.
Larry,
I have yet to enjoy a tragedy or wish at the time that it could be removed from me at the moment, but with time most become memories that are not all that bad when balanced with what we have learned. I love your positive attitude towards life and its challenges focusing on growth, personal or otherwise.
My first thought as I heard about this was your journals. I wondered as you talked of them why anybody would photo copy a journal not once but twice? Now I know. How grateful you must be for that little bit of past inspiration to do so.
Thanks for sharing your combined inspirational experiences with all of us. Can’t wait to hear more!
Larry and Family,
First things first, our prayers are with you and as you have already recognized, the blessing is that all of you are alright!
There can be no way to replace the photo albums, the wedding albums or the children’s favorite items givin to them by Mom, Dad or Grandparents but the memories can not be removed from your own minds and hearts.
You built your vision and your company, as a team, you and your wife built a family and as a family, you will build new memories.
God Bless!
My thoughts go to you and your loved ones!
I have had things in my life happen were I questioned “why”. I too grew from it and became even stronger than ever. You may have lost your “stuff” but you never loose the memories that stuff helped you gain. If the world stopped spinning today everyones “stuff” would mean nothing but our strengths and experiences would be what kept us moving. I’ve been told to always be the rock someone needs.
Larry I am so sorry for your and your families loss. I beleive there is a higher power and he make all our decisions in life for us. He does it to make us stronger. He wants us to be the people we are supposed to be. I believe this because I have had my share the last 5 years from a 2 year divorce, becoming a single mom of 2 children, then losing my house last year and having to pick up my kids from the only home they knew and moving. God did this to me to make me stronger and the person I am today. I was looking forward to my new beginning in 2014 then it all started again. Mom had 2 strokes, dad fell on ice and cracked his head open then ended up in the hospital several times. He is having his second surgery this coming Monday. Then on Valentines Day I awoke and had a problem talking. I was taken to the ER and after a catscan I was told I had a brain tumor. After a week in the hospital and brain surgery I was on my road to recover. I questioned myself many of times why, why did this happen to me. It was not something I ever planned on but God put it there for a reason. He did it to make me stronger than I already was. I beleive he needed me to prove to myself that life does go on and with the help of family, friends and my new finance’ I got through it. I pushed myself and was back to work 3 1/2 weeks after the surgery. I am still healing and it will take time but God did it for a reason. When something tragic happens it puts a new prospective on life. I said to myself while laying in a hospital bed that there are others including many children here in worse condition than I. I have my health. I have my family. I will heal and God will make me stronger than every before. I wish you all the best and I am here if you every need anything.
Larry,
Your attitude in this difficult time is an inspiration to us all. I think I speak for all of your employees when I say that you are a terrific role model and we all appreciate your positive messages. I am sure you will build an even better home and make more wonderful memories for your family there for many years to come.
Hey Larry
Sorry for your loss
Most likely you will rebuild w a high tech fire suppression system
Then start another company
God bless u & family are safe.
Hey Larry
I only know you from home inspection meetings.
This is a challenge u are going thru.
I kinda think u may be thinking how to prevent this for others.
There has to be a better way than the usual fire suppression systems.
Love you brother!
A very wise man once told me,
If you can learn from the worst times of your life, you’ll be ready to go into the best times of your life.
What ever you might need Janesky family ….. don’t hesitate to call upon me.
You’re the best Larry, Keep the faith!
John
I am sorry for the loss of your home Larry.
Larry,
I am sorry you are living this yet again. Rose says it well in her comment. Your family is safe and is with you to brainstorm the why and sit around telling stories of the memories in your home. At young ages your children may have deeper appreciation now than before regarding family vs stuff…
The way I see it, maybe it is time for a wedding!!! You and your wife can renew your wedding vows, take picture and create a new wedding album.
You give a lot to many folks, please let me if there is anything I can do to help.