We're home. Turns out that Marsha's dad (Bobby, that's what I call him) and Uncle Eddie went to Home Depot yesterday to pick something up. Bobby was driving. Came home, pulled into garage, and Bobby asked U. Eddie if he should put the keys on the floor of the car like U. Eddie always did. U.Eddie said no. As they were heading upstairs Bobby said he thought the car was still running and U. Eddie told him NO, it was the furnace he heard. Bobby started to walk back to the car and U. Eddie said "Don't bother, Bobby (he called him that, too), it's the furnace". Well, it wasn't the furnace. U. Eddie is almost deaf and Bobby is getting hard of hearing. So, Bobby totally blames himself (85, going on 65). He is a man of very deep faith. I am not. However, I respect his faith and beliefs, so when we were leaving I asked him if he believed in God. He said YES. I said "then this isn't your fault. It is all a part of God's plan. I think God did not want Uncle Eddie and Aunt Cil to suffer a horrible death, so He took them the easy way. I said U. Eddie was very tired and in a lot of pain this past year and Aunt Cil was losing her mind and in poor health. I told him to hold onto that thought. That God took them so they didn't suffer. I hope it helped him. He seemed a bit relieved, but this is so early in this tragedy, that I know he will probably NOT forgive himself, but I hope he can make peace with it because he is a good and wonderful man.
NO carbon monoxide detectors in their house. They were dead since about 8p.m. last night. Uncle Eddie looked like he was sleeping in his chair and Aunt Cil was on the floor in the hallway. The firemen had to use gas masks because the concentration of carbon monoxide was so concentrated. They said if the cops had gotten in, they may not have made it out. Their house is very small and everything was closed up tight.
Thank you all for your kind words (Marsha thanks you, too). May you all sleep well and hold your loved ones near.....Good night