PINE KNOT — Bright and early this Christmas morning — about 7 a.m. — 5-year-old Tatum and her 16-month-old brother Ty, along with their parents Summer and Derek, opened presents from Santa Claus in anticipation and joy.

This is the Goodroes’ first Christmas in their new home just off Ga. Highway 355 on Backbone Road.

The events, however, that have brought the Goodroe family to this Christmas have changed their lives forever.

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Just last night, the Goodroes celebrated a Christmas tradition of theirs by making s’mores. Both sets of parents will visit today and no worries will fill the house.

“It’s going to feel good; it’s definitely something we think about, being at home and this is our house,” said Summer. “It was just strange last year. It felt so different because things were different. Home is where you can relax regardless. You can do that at another family’s house, but it’s not like home.”

That’s because the Goodroes spent almost seven months living next door with Derek’s parents. But under the circumstances, it was the best place they could be, according to Derek, who is Marion County’s baseball coach.

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Derek was outside in his pole barn assembling a swing set that dreary and wet afternoon of Dec. 15, 2007. He said it was a steady rain most of the day, but about 4 p.m., he heard what he described as “the loudest clap of thunder.”

The light went out in the barn, and he ran into the house, which was two stories, to check on things. The surround sound for the television was messed up, but after 10 minutes or so, Derek resumed his work. But minutes later, Summer called him back into the house because of a smell. They thought it was the computer upstairs, and after they determined that wasn’t it, Derek said he pulled down the access to the attic and smoke immediately began filling the room.

“The weird thing about this lightning strike was that it was the only one that day,” he said. “There wasn’t any lightning in the area before or after that strike.”

Their house could be hard to see in such weather because of where it’s positioned — about 100 hundred yards from 355 and surrounded by trees.

But about the same time Derek realized where the smoke was coming from, his best friend Jeff Murray was knocking on the door because he saw the smoke from the highway.

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Ever heard the saying God works in mysterious ways? All of Derek’s family and Jeff will testify their belief to this statement ... and for good reason.

Derek and Jeff were part of the battery that led Tri-County to the second round of the Class AA tournament in 1994 and then the region championship and a berth in the quarterfinals.

Derek was the ace pitcher while Jeff was his catcher. They have been best friends since Jeff moved to the area in fifth grade and were always there for each other.

About seven years ago, Jeff almost lost his arm when a skill saw kicked back and landed on his arm. Derek was with him through the entire process.

“I was not sure if I’d have my hand when I woke up through surgery,” said Jeff. “I’ve lost 30 percent of the use in my left hand. He’s always been there for me when I needed him.”

Living toward Cusseta, Jeff said he comes down 355 once or twice a year to pick up his step-daughter from a friend’s house. And about the time he passed Derek’s house, he saw the smoke.

“When I got up there, the whole front yard was full of smoke,” he said. “It was a rainy night, and as soon as I knocked on the door, Derek said he found the fire as he was coming down the steps. We began getting stuff out, and we didn’t know what to do.”

Just like when Derek was there for Jeff, the favor was repaid.

“It was really weird how he was the first one here,” said Derek. “He’s helped me out many times, and I’ve helped him many times. I guess (God) realized I needed some help at the time.”

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Jeff called 911 and the Brown Springs Volunteer Fire Department arrived on the scene. While the rain contained the fire, the fire truck ran out water, and the next closest hydrant was 1,500 feet from the yard.

“The fire had almost been completely put out, but the truck had to leave to go fill back up,” said Derek. “By the time the firefighters got back, the fire had already busted through the roof. More and more firefighters and fire trucks were getting to the house by this time, but it is very hard to get a fire put out once it comes through the roof and gets oxygen. The firefighters worked hard to try to save the house but to no avail.”

While the fire was being put out, several friends and family members helped the family get as many things out of the house as possible. The living room furniture, dining room suit and some of the children’s clothes were retrieved, but more importantly were the family pictures.

“When you were in the house you could hear the fire in the ceiling crackling and popping,” said Derek. “The house was a total loss as it burned all the way to the ground in just a few hours. We both were relieved to get the photos out of the house. All of the material things can be replaced, but family members cannot.”

Tatum was 4 at the time, and Ty was 4 months old. Neighbors took them to Derek’s parents house until everything settled down. Tatum didn’t understand what happened, saying, “The house is broken.” But Derek reassured her, “Someone will come fix it.”

This began the journey that would be a long six months to complete as the family’s faith was tested and proved with the help of several people and organizations.

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Derek’s parents — Kathryn and Stanley — made room for the family in their house. They had a lot of visitors the next day, really surprising Summer.

“We were thinking the night before what we were going to do,” she said. “We’re Christians, and that night I felt like I was unsure of my faith I guess. By the next day, I knew God was going to take care of us. Those worries were kind of gone for the most part. Not that there weren’t stressful moments over the next six months, but I definitely felt like (God) really answered my prayers. I just had to trust.”

Trust was hard for the family at the beginning. It had already gone through the loss of a son during childbirth in May 2006, and now this.

“It seemed like everything was happening at one time,” said Derek. “But we got through it with family, friends and prayer. Our faith is definitely stronger. Sometimes God puts you on your back so you can see up. Having to go through all this stuff, it has definitely made our character a lot better.”

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The family met with the insurance agent and soon after decided to rebuild on the same spot. It took a month to clean up the area, with digging up the footers of the house being the most strenuous.

But during the entire time, everything was provided for the family.

Derek said the local churches and schools took up love offerings and his family was blessed beyond measure as things fell into place

“For weeks we continued to receive gifts, money, clothes, furniture and other things from the generous people of Marion County,” he said.

They were chosen in a contest by Sherwin Williams in Americus to have all of their paint, interior and exterior done free of charge. Baby Dreams of Buena Vista donated a bedroom suit for Ty, and Derek’s sister gave them one for Tatum.

“I remember how overwhelmed my wife and I were at the outpouring of love that we received from our community,” said Derek.

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The work on the new home began in February, and right around the corner was baseball season. Summer did most of the talking with the insurance adjuster, but Derek said he constantly thought about matters even at baseball practice.

“As far as coaching was concerned, it was difficult at the first of the season because it seemed like we were having to meet or talk to the insurance adjuster every day,” he said. “Having to fill out the paperwork that the insurance company gives was a very taxing task indeed. We had to go room by room and list all of the items that were in that room, when we bought the item, how much it cost, and how much it is worth today. It took weeks to finish this. My players and their parents were all very supportive during this time.”

Derek tried to not let the circumstances at home affect his coaching, saying “I didn’t want this tragedy in my life to affect my ability to coach because those players deserved my undivided attention.”

The Eagles started the season 3-1 and won the Murray L. Smith Tournament they hosted by beating Taylor County and Americus-Sumter twice.

“I think getting off to a good start last year was important. It helped me maintain my focus at this point in the year,” he said.

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June came, the family endured, and the house was finally complete. Tatum was in Vacation Bible School, and they were trying to get everything done to move in that particular night.

Family members came over and had hamburgers, and Summer said they were glad to be able to have those kinds of events again as hosts.

She said they may be overcautious now, but they don’t want to take any chances. Smoke alarms are in every room, and all bedrooms are on the bottom floor with a game room decorated all in Georgia colors and memorabilia filling the upper story.

The one-year mark arrived 10 days ago, and Derek said they thought about how all the events unfolded that brought them to this point.

“Honestly, it seems much longer than that,” he said. “We really feel like the Lord has blessed us. Sometimes you get involved in daily life and take things for granted, but we definitely don’t do that anymore. We have a greater appreciation for what we do have.”

Said Kathryn of visiting her son’s house for Christmas: “It will be great. I know they’re enjoying the house, and I’m happy for them. I’m proud for them, and I hope they never have to go through anything like that again.”