Like many moments of intense clarity and gratitude, Abby Crawford’s true test of character came with near tragedy.
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Newly settled in a former station master’s house in Maitland, Abby had decided to start a new life in the Hunter Valley when her life took the most unexpected turn of all.
“We bit the bullet and moved here in December 2010,” Abby said.
“I was coming to Maitland every weekend looking for an investment property but when I found this house I just fell in love with it and decided it was time for a move and a change.”
Six months later, while dozing on the lounge with her young son Nikolai, the Pender-designed home began to fill with smoke.
“It was a very cold Saturday night and we had the fire going,” Abby, 43, said.
“We both fell asleep and when I woke up I couldn’t figure out why the lights weren’t on ... everything was really dark.
“There was a tiny, orange glow, but the house was absolutely full of smoke. The walls of my son’s bedroom were just glowing and I knew then that the house was on fire.”
Abby carried Nikolai from the burning house, made sure he was safe and returned to try and extinguish the blaze.
“I put Nikolai on the nature strip along with the dogs then I went back in, found the fire extinguisher but it was no use,” Abby said.
“When I went back outside the windows exploded and the fire had taken over.”
As a result, Abby and Nikolai lost everything and were taken to hospital as a precaution.
“I was laying with Nikolai in hospital and just felt tears of gratitude because I had my son in my arms and it could have gone the other way,” Abby said.
“We were lucky to get away with our lives because the smoke could have killed us. So I feel like I’ve won the lotto. From then on I decided to look at everything else as an adventure because I had no idea what was going to happen.”
Unexpectedly, Abby was also showered with love and support from her new community.
“That’s what really brought me undone, the generosity and support of people I have never met,” she said.
“We were so new to the community, but the love and the support was automatically there. We just felt like we were held in the heart of the community. It was the most incredible thing to have happen and it was very moving for me.
“It was such a wonderful thing to know that I made the decision to move here.”
While living in temporary accommodation, Abby founded Love and Protect, a business that distributes flameless candles.
“I just never wanted to ever see fire again. I don’t even want a candle in the house,” Abby said.
Since then the marketing and events co-ordinator has styled events for the likes of Kate Ceberano and, more recently, a VIP night for Spandau Ballet as part of the band’s Australian tour.
“After the fire I really embraced the opportunity to focus on something else and Love and Protect did that for me. Slowly, we had to piece everything back together,” Abby said.
“The fire changed my life in a way that I wouldn’t have anticipated and my gratitude for the simple things has grown because I am just so happy to be here.”
To give back to the community that gave her so much, Abby has also stepped up as volunteer chairwoman for the Maitland Health Committee.
“I feel like such a big part of the community now and it’s important for me to do this,” Abby said.
“Sometimes going through something really tough makes you appreciate everything else.
“I have a fighting spirit and this experience changed my life path and life is actually better than I thought it would be. This is all left of field and yet I couldn’t be happier.
“Everything just feels better now and I’m here to stay.”
