A little girl in a vibrant blue dress with wings attached to her back and a grandmother holding her grandchild in her lap at a pumpkin patch—these are just a few of the photos circulating Facebook in remembrance of the two victims of the devastating Little Ferry fire which you have likely seen on your local news if you live in New Jersey. At around midnight, multiple explosions were heard by neighbors from inside the three-story home where little Maribella Colon and her grandmother, Margaret Colon, were severely hurt and eventually succumbed to their injuries. Maribella's mother, Stephanie Colon, is in critical condition after jumping from the third-story window to try and escape the flames.
The passing of both little Maribella and her grandmother, Margaret, is sudden and beyond comprehension. We see death and tragedy through the news so much that we often become numb to the terrible news until it becomes someone close to home, someone we know, or someone we love. At five years old, little Maribella strapped on her fairy wings and played alongside friends and family at a carnival themed party—one of the last memories that Teri Cole, an extended family member, would have of the shy girl who loved to laugh. For Maribella's mother, Stephanie Colon, hearing about the deaths of her child and her mother will be two more thorns in an already splintered heart. In the last five years, Stephanie Colon had lost her father to cancer and her brother to suicide. On top of having to recover from severe injuries, Stephanie will have to deal with the grief of losing two more people who meant everything to her.
To help Stephanie heal and find peace, we must come together and help her get through this tragedy by supporting her, Maribella, and Margaret in every way possible. Please keep Stephanie, Maribella, and Margaret in your thoughts and help a grieving family by donating whatever amount you can.