Mother sheds tears days after Christmas fire as firefighters bring gifts for her children

But they weren't tears of sadness or despair.

No, Carolyn Foreman shed those tears two days earlier, on Christmas morning, as her Kentwood duplex went up in flames. On Friday, there was only joy as she stood in happy disbelief.

Related: Duplex fire displaces two Kentwood families on Christmas morning

Firefighters arrived at her sister's home where she is staying with her three children and handed out armloads of presents provided by Toys for Tots. There was a Nerf football, a nail polish variety pack. A Twister game and a digital camera.

For this family, Christmas wasn't over yet. The sadness they felt in watching their belongings burn won't be the only memory this holiday season.

"I'm so overwhelmed," Foreman said, looking on as her three children, Charles Caldwell, 11; Richard Caldwell, 14; and Tanajah Hawkins, 16 were handed gift after gift. "You are awesome. You all are awesome."

Foreman awoke Christmas morning to fire above the ceiling of the duplex she shares with her children on Innwood Drive SE in Kentwood. She had little time to react, other than to rush them out of the home.

The family had just opened presents the night before, on Christmas Eve. The new gifts were all inside.

Firefighters went out of their way to find $300 in cash Richard Caldwell had been given, while also battling the flames. The fire moved from insulation through the empty spaces above the ceiling.

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Mother sheds tears days after Christmas fire as firefighters bring gifts for her children