PLANO — A new report shows 10 percent of Texans are at least one month behind on their mortgages and two percent are in foreclosure.
If you didn't know any better, you'd think a tornado had hit Sandra Luehrs' home, but the truth is, it's closer to a financial storm.
"Who should have to make a decision about what part of your life you leave behind as trash?" she asked, looking at her belongings strewn haphazardly outside.
Luehrs has lived alone on the large Plano property since her husband died four years ago.
In July, the bank began foreclosure proceedings. Last week it took her home and removed her property.
"All I heard was breaking," Luehrs said. "I saw them take my dishes, my grandmother's crystal. Throw them into my plastic bags on the tile floor. Almost take them over their shoulders and smash them."
With photo albums and a lifetime of possessions littering Luehrs' lawn, her daughter, Elizabeth Hanley, stood in the rain all day trying to rescue what she could.
"It's hard to watch her as she sees her life destroyed around her," Hanley said. "She has no place to live. She has no possessions."
The only salvageable moment of this miserable day was a reprieve for the thousands of fish in Luehrs' koi pond. The family was given until Tuesday to move them out.
After Luehrs' story aired on Channel 8, Noel Management Company said it is willing to give Sandra Luehrs a free place to stay until she can get back on her feet. We'll let you know what she decides.
E-mail dschechter@wfaa.com
