FOX23 News has been documenting the Serapilios work after Tropical Storm Irene for the past four weeks. But homeowners Arnold and Camille have only visited a few times as it has been overwhelming to see their property torn apart following the storm.Finally, Mr. and Mrs. Serapilio sit down to talk about what it will be like to move back home.
“I am counting down the days,” Camille said. “There’s no place like home.”
“We’ve got so much to be thankful for really, strangers you never knew,” Arnold said.
Arnold and Camille have been married 52 years. They spent more than four decades in their Lock Street home and were there when Irene’s flood waters came raging through Rotterdam Junction.
“It was already up to my neck, the water,” Camille said.
“Our grandson, Matthew, got us off of the porch, into a boat, and finally took us away, but everything we had was gone,” Arnold recalled. “We lost a lot of good memories.”
The Serapilio’s home was nothing more than a bare-boned structure, but after ten weeks of intensive work by their four children, in-laws, and countless volunteers, the home is almost move-in ready.
“Our son, our daughters, everybody, it’s like it's a God's blessing that we're going to be able to go to our own home,” Camille said.
“There's joy and there's hope in their faces,” explained their daughter, Susan Torres. “For all of us kids, and the spouses, and grandkids, that’s wonderful.”
Through home video and nightly debriefings, Arnold and Camille have been keeping up with the progress.
This week, their kids are working on the finishing touches, like putting the street number “6” on the front door.
But sadly, around the corner, there's still a long way to go.
Heartbreaking images of abandoned, storm-ravaged homes seem to magnify the Serapilios’ dedication back on Lock Street.
“They've just been great children,” Arnold said emotionally. “I am not trying to brag, but I am bragging.”
“You know your kids love you, but you don’t know to this extreme,” Camille said. “Early in the morning and late at night, I don't know how many parents would be as fortunate as we have been.”
Three months ago, Arnold and Camille questioned whether they'd ever go back home - let alone, by Thanksgiving.
“To give up all their time, and everything they have to do, actually for us to get us back on track, I thank them all,” Arnold said.
They can say the words every day, but the Serapilios say, "thank you" will never be enough.
“You can’t ever let them know the way you want, but in our heart, it’s just going to be wonderful, it’s going to be so joyous to be there,” Camille said smiling.
This was scheduled to be FOX23’s final story with the Serapilios, but we are extending our coverage to bring you a Thanksgiving Day special. Be sure to tune in next Thursday when Arnold and Camille move home just in time for the holidays.
