Oh, Ellen!

I have not yet chatted with Ellen - as much as she has on her plate, this is not the time. A card is headed her way and then later I will check in on her.

In the meantime, Steff Bodamer is the liaison between Ellen and her hobby friends, and I have talked with her. She says Ellen has a place to stay temporarily and that a restoration firm is helping to sort and clean what is still usable. For the most part, the house is still structurally sound so it won't need to be torn down.

Ellen's collection has been packed up and taken to the company's warehouse where it will be cleaned later. She is hanging in there, but there is a lot ahead for her and Matt to do before life resumes some semblance of normalcy.

Steff shared some of Ellen's photos on social media, and with her permission, I share them here.

Every collector's nightmare.

Ellen's collection is extensive (I've heard around 8,000+ models or more)

and it must've been a huge job (as well as a heartbreaking one) to pack and move them to the warehouse.

Unpacking and cleaning them will probably be an even bigger one.

I hope that many of the models survived and that Ellen will be able to fill her shelves again with pieces that she loves.

Ellen's tragedy has had me thinking about my own collection and how I would feel if something happened to it. I got my very first piece in 1963 and have had models with me ever since. They are a huge part of my life and bring me much happiness. 

Brownie, my very first model horse. Santa brought him to me in 1963 when I was 6 years old. He's well loved and while I could have him restored, all those breaks were carefully glued by my father over the years and represent his love for me.

For years I had my collection insured but as time passed, I dropped it. Nothing happened to my home or models and it felt like a waste of money.

After seeing what Ellen is going through, I am rethinking that decision.