Jason and I have been close friends for over 20 years. There isn't a major life event we haven't been through together.

From the skateboard injuries, the losses and triumphs on the soccer field, the loss of our mothers, our weddings, the birth of our children. His father, Walt, and his deep philosophical conversations, giving me employment when I was out of work, his warped sense of humor, and his ability to make the best of the worst while keeping a smile on his face.

Yesterday while at their house after the fire and seeing what I could do to help, Jason looked at me as we stood in the first floor of the house, tin ceiling hanging down and water dripping on us from the 2nd and 3rd floors from the fresh dousing of water the fire department put down to quiet any hot spots and said to me, "the flood (Hurricane Ivan) got the basement and the first floor, and the fire got the 2nd and 3rd floor." Junior, who is now 8 was born during the hurricane and he lost everything that he and the family received from the baby shower. Toys, clothes, crib, everything. Now he has to endure loosing everything again along with his younger brother Easton and the rest of the family.

I can't even begin to imagine what kind of feelings they are enduring. The support of the community, near and far, has been unbelievable. Thank you.

I've created a photo gallery with some of my work from over the years consisting of landscapes, still life and street photography. All the images are for sale and the proceeds will go to the Adkins family.

You can visit the gallery here - http://deanmbeattiephotography.zenfolio.com/p949830230/h5906FE76#h5906fe76