Local Couple Not Letting Loss Define Them as They Look Ahead
Optimists are people who hold a worldview that the glass is half full.
They’re the same folks wh make lemonade when life hands out lemons and choos to believe that every cloud has a silver lining. They also keep their chins up, knowing that things will work out.
Rich and Judy Breinig are optimists.
They’re also a remarkable couple who have welcomed three daughters and a son (Ronda Cross from Cambridge, Jeanette Bloch from Wichita, Janet Busenbark from Omaha, and Rich from Kearney) and 11 grandchildren during their 5 years of marriage.
For over 42 years, they lived in the same 14-room house with two porches that Rich’s parents and grandparents lived in before him.
But that changed on March 8, 2022, when a fire swept over their property fiv miles northeast of Arapahoe destroying their home and al their belongings.
On the evening they selfevacuated, they looked out their west door and saw the fire was getting closer. When they grabbed sweatshirts and jeans along with some cash and business files, they were expecting to return to a smoke-damaged yet standin home.
Once in town, the couple watched from a hill in Arapahoe, knowing that their home was in harm’s way. Certain their home was gone; they drove to daughter Ronda’s home in Cambridge around 9:00 p.m.
Around midnight, Rich decided they needed to ensure that the gas meter wa turned off, so the couple too a late-night drive and from their driveway saw that their home of many decades had been reduced to ashes.
As they recount the experience, both Rich, age 80, and Judy, age 77 continually exude positive perspectives.
With a twinkle in her eyes Judy shares that when Rond discovered her parents had gone out without letting her know, she likened it to teenagers sneaking out of the house.
With a peaceful countenance and graceful smile, Judy reflects from across the restaurant table, “You can’t do anything about the past, but learn from it. We must live in the present.”
While they both acknowledge that this is the greatest trial they’ve faced since they got married in 1963, neither is allowing their monumental loss to define them.
“We’re a pretty happy bunch,” Rich declares. “Not too much shakes us.”
Even though the retired couple had been considering downsizing and moving to Arapahoe, last year they used their stimulus money to put new carpet on the floors and paint on the walls.
“It’s something to lose everything,” Judy concedes before adding, ”but we have good memories.” She continues, “Several years ago, it would have been devastating. But now, it is another chapter in our lives.”
When asked if this situation has changed them, Rich quips “No, we’re upbeat. We’re fixers and we take it as it comes.”
Judy pipes in, “If you downsize you can’t take it with you and if you die, you can’t. So, you accept it and go on.”
Dovetailing on this wife’s comment, Rich added, “It’s not much different than getting hailed out.”
For now, the couple has rented a small apartment until May 1 when they will move into a three-bedroom rented home in Arapahoe. The plan is to live there for six months, giving them time to find a home to purchase.
Rich’s brother, Larry, has had to relocate as well. Although his home is still standing, it is no longer habitable.
When asked how their adult children are taking the news, Judy shared that it is hard on them, but it is devastating for the grandkids who have always loved the adventure of coming to the farm. Even as adults, the grandkids have enjoyed staying at their grandparents’ home, holding slumber parties in the upstairs. Judy and Rich made sure they rented a big enough home to still accommodate more slumber parties.
Judy advises people to place important papers in a bank vault. Their 600-pound fire-proof safe could not withstand the head. She believes that had it been a regular house fire, the safe would have not been consumed, but the prairie fire continued for an extended length of time.
One cannot talk to this couple without sensing their immense gratitude for the community for their generous kindness and help during the fire.
“We are overwhelmed by the compassion of people. They have been fantastic,” Judy shares.
“We’ve never had anything like this fire before and our neighbors showed up with their tractors and disks to help. I cannot say enough about the firemen and how hard they worked, even when they were exhausted. They had water wagons and helicopters and never gave up.”
The couple rent their dryland fields and pastureland out, and now there are fences to rebuild and water systems that need restoring. The return to normal will most likely be a long road ahead.
Judy says she misses some basics like her baking sheets and bowls, and her organized desk. “I’m spoiled because I’m used to a washer and dryer and dishwasher and those conveniences,” she said.
Her parting uplifting sentiment reveals her optimism.“I’m looking forward to a new chapter in my life. I love to garage sale.”
