Fire Victims' Christmas Wish Granted

LaKeisha Harris and her three daughters got an early Christmas gift: a place to call their own in time for the holidays.

Harris and her three daughters, ages 8, 7 and 4, barely escaped a fire with their lives.

The family lived to tell about it because 3 Dallas Police officers spotted the burning home, broke down a glass door, and alerted the sleeping family. Harris escaped while the 3 officers escorted her 3 daughters out of the home.

"We have so much to be thankful for. It could have gone another way. It could have read in the paper, instead of 4 people found, 4 bodies found," Harris said.

The family made it out of the home with the clothes they had on their backs and little else.

What the fire didn't destroy, smoke and water did.

"We pretty much lost everything," said Harris.

Since the fire, Harris spent several days a motel, then a few more days a friend's house.

This weekend, the family moved into a new home.

"This Christmas really is going to be meaningful, wonderful Christmas and being in our own home, you know, is the main thing," Harris said.

Since hearing her story, the family has recieved an outpouring of support from friends, neighbors, and even total strangers. Harris' new home has already been filled with food, clothing, and supplies.

"I was amazed. I was not expecting so much! It was just abundance. I was just kind of shocked, it made me cry," Harris said. "They even brought my children some Christmas gifts to be opened on Christmas Day."

Harris a survivor. This is the second time in less than a year the single mother of 3 has had to rebuild her life.

"I left all my family, all my close friends. My children and I got on the road in the middle of the night and drove out here not knowing anyone. We actually had nothing," Harris said.

She left Alabama for Texas to leave an abusive relationship. Despite the hardships she's endured, Harris describes her life as "blessed" and a smile never leaves her face.

"I teach my children it's not about what you buy," she said. "I teach them to give, have love in their hearts. I teach them to share."

Now the gifts this faithful family has shared with others are being repaid tenfold.

"They just reached out to me and my children in my time of need. I just want to tell them thank you," Harris said.