MEDICAL LAKE, Wash. — A Medical Lake family who lost everything in the 2023 Gray Fire is saying thank you to a kind neighbor who did something unexpected for them this holiday season.
In August of 2023, Cathy and Mike Bogulaski’s lives were turned upside down when the Gray Fire swept through Medical Lake, leaving nothing but ashes where their home once stood.
“I would never wish this on anybody,” Cathy said. “It’s just been a horrendous experience.”
The couple enjoyed collecting antiques, whether it be classic cars or Cathy’s holiday decorations.
“I had a snow family that I started probably about 30, 35 years ago,” Cathy said. “My original snow family will always be very special to me. It was started by my son many years ago.”
When the Gray Fire came through her neighborhood, though, her snow family was the last thing on her mind.
“We lost everything. All we had was the clothes on our back, our cat and our medicines,” she said.
This August, one year after her snow family burned in the fire, a neighbor left a surprise box and a note on the couple’s door. The note read: “Welcome back home. Look forward to seeing snowmen on your porch.”
“Boxes of some snow collectibles and a note and I just started crying,” Cathy said. “It just touched me so much that people I don’t know care so much about us.”
The new snow family came from a neighbor the Bogulaski’s barely knew who took the time to gather snowmen from around the neighborhood for her display.
This year is the second Christmas since the fire. Cathy says it will feel more normal with her new meaningful snow family.
“When I look at this, my heart is touched. My heart is just full,” Cathy said.
Cathy said she left a sign out in her front yard giving thanks to the generous neighbor. She plans to keep it there every year she sets out the display.
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