Everything Under The Sun: A Courageous Survivor

The arson fire and the children killed and injured.

Back in May 2013 a family with young children was living in an apartment in upstate New York. Then came the day that some unknown person set fire to the stairs leading to that family's apartment, consuming that home in flames. The fire devastated the family, killing the father, David Terry, and three of his children, all under the age of 3. There was one survivor, Safyre, whom the father shielded with his body, allowing her to continue to breathe. That act saved the little girl's life.

Although still alive, Safyre was severely injured, burned over 75 percent of her body. She has had over 50 surgeries since then, to help reconstruct her ravaged body and she has lost her left foot and right hand. That is in addition to the family she lost. Life will never be the same for her.

But this young girl, now 8 years old, has soldiered on. Her aunt, Liz Dolder, stepped in to provide Safyre with a secure home and family. Through all of the difficult treatments that Safyre has endured, Aunt Liz Dolder has been there with her. It's not always been easy either, considering how painful the treatments and rehabilitation are for one who has survived severe burns.

Aunt Liz Dolder recounts, "Safyre lost everything - her father, her mother, her sister, her brothers, her home, her favorite toy, her favorite outfit - everything that was familiar to her. She even lost the one thing we all take for granted - her reflection. But she wakes every morning with a smile on her face. She is the true definition of hope, faith, and love."

Through everything, though, Safyre is a devoted celebrator of Christmas. So, Aunt Liz had wanted to make sure that the celebration is special for her young charge. When she asked Safyre what she wanted for Christmas, this young girl told her she wanted Christmas cards - and a lot of them. So, Ms. Dolder took a picture of Safyre with the empty Christmas tree card holder on a facebook page dedicated to her and posted the request for Christmas cards.

Liz reported, "Everything is magical. I went to Goodwill and bought a Christmas card tree. And she helped me put it up. When we got our first Christmas card, she was so excited....It was just incredible."

By Dec. 9, as Safyre's wish started spreading, she had received 50 cards, some from strangers that the family had never met. Said Ms. Dolder, through her happy tears, "It's so overwhelming. I'm crying buckets, because when you've seen the ugly in the world, and then you see the world come together for her, it's just more than words can say. I'm so moved."

Safyre checks out the mail she has received.

But that was just the beginning. Even more cards, gifts, letters, donations, have come in for this brave little girl with the simple wish for Christmas cards. As of yesterday, the NY Times reported that lovely, young Safyre has received 430,000 cards and more than $338.000 in donations to help pay for her medical expenses. Despite all she has been through, no one has turned out this child's light, and it shines forth, inspiring a Christmas outpouring of love and kindness for a girl who so much deserves it.