Yes she did. I thought wow, she’s lived there longer than I’ve been alive. May God bless & protect her & everyone effected by this unfortunate tragedy.
@@svasianfilipiname6603 Rich?? And how did you get to that estimate? I hate to tell you but she probably paid far less for that beachside condo than I could for one in downtown Chicago overlooking Lake Michigan.. Living on a beach in Florida isn't as expensive as you think, especially in a condo. Hubby and I are looking to retire to Florida. Housing is cheaper than assumed. So don't assume you know anyone's financial situation.
Growing up, I could remember my parents taking me to visit her and my grandfather on Sundays. We would go down to the beach and hang out by the pool before going out to dinner. Childhood memories. We’re beyond grateful she’s okay.
@@PlayshotKalo I'm not sure. Right now she's staying with my uncle. My father and older brother visited her the day after the collapse. They bought her needed supplies and have talked with different people. There's a lot to do, but they have a plan in motion for her. Thank you for your compassion and kind comments.
Her purpose in this life definitely has not yet been fulfilled. There is a reason your grandmother is still here on this Earth. I am so happy for your family that she is doing well (though I know her poor heart is broken). I only hope I will have have her personality and spunk at that age, God willing I make it that long. Blessings to your family. And love from Texas ♥️
God bless the neighbors who saved her life so bravely! Very sad for all the tenants who did not survive. I can see the pain in her eyes of all the friends she lost.
No decades more than that, she lived there 40 years so moved in at age 44 so would have brought with her all her ancestors gifts, photos as well as her children's pix etc from raising them from all the decades before she moved in there.....then add to that whatever she accumulated in the next 40 via life photos, holiday gifts, things left to her as older fam died.
Something positive. So many would be happy just to be alive right now. Hope nobody will encounter anything like this. But it's 21 century and we still have wars, hunger, poverty. Wish everyone good things. And I do believe that there's good in this life.
Angel's are everywhere . I am handicapped , and I run into them quite often . These Men , are truly angels . They were at the right place at the right time . God love them . And how that happened , was well ,, a miracle . Nice to see good news is somehow related to this tragedy . Thanks ,,,,,,
@@rocklynq7628 Thanks Rocklyn ! My life is a daily challenge . But long ago I learned to put my face to the wind , and never give up . And so many people have more challenges than me . And again ,,, Thank you .
@@mikehurricane5767 you are an earth angel yourself. Dont forget that. We all need love and support and people like you make this world a better place.
@@rocklynq7628 Thank you . But I am just a lucky survivor . May peace and love , follow you through your life . Your kind words have touched my heart .
@@mikehurricane5767 thank you Mike. I hope that peace and love find me as i am also a survivor. I hope the same for you. Im lucky to be alive and I know now more than ever that my purpose now is to be there for others. Your kind words have touched me also. Thank you for them 💜
All she cared about were photos, not expensive things. That’s why I save everything to different places online. At least she’s ok and her son is ok. So many weren’t so lucky 😢
Yes, it's a good reason to have valuable pictures scanned and saved on drives. One doesn't know what could happen and keep important documents in a single place, in case there's an emergency, you know where to get things.
@@estelleschneider9033 I came across a bunch of videos here on YT last week, where many Owners of "Safe" deposit boxes found out all their items were stolen/missing. A few with money over $ 50k & precious photos & more
@@susanmorse1111 I hope you never have a child who chooses to be a rescuer that loses their life over a parakeet ! We ALL love our furkids, yes this is heartbreaking these pets most likely survived in the standing tower for days if not till it was brought down, but I would never put a person's life in danger which this clearly was.
@@tagyouritification I and many others volunteered to go in to get them! I willing would have signed a waiver!! The building was not going to fall if one person stepped inside! They had to drill holes in the concrete and set explosives to make it fall!! So this has nothing to do with a first responder!! Too many regular Joe's volunteered!
@@tagyouritification if I die in the event of saving an animal then my purpose on this earth is served!! I have seven rescue dogs and two horses that I will care for until they die because of people that do not care and deem them disposable!! That is my purpose in this life! To be tge voice of the voiceless! Sorru if it offends you but it is my job to care about the ones that others feel.are not worthy of life... funny I feel that way about some people..ones that think that their life is more important.
@@sandyrose2398 I love it, you’re still full of life. You remind me of my dad’s late mother, she had the soul and energy of a twenty year old. May you enjoy many more years
before they demolish, they should swarm the remaining building with drones and robots to retrieve any personal items they can for the survivors and their families
Yes, that is a wonderful idea. Robotics to pic items. I'm sure the rest of the building will be demolished. Will it be safe to allow one "timed" person at the time into the building to pick up some belongings?
@@cusimilooking4965 The remaining structure is unstable and on the verge of collapse. Who would want to go in there after getting out safely, to pick through and look for material items.
Indeed so, wish some safe way to retrieve some treasures, pictures, health info, meds records etc. but had to leave quickly and not knowing you could not go back to your home. Seems they now plan quick demo rest of building as before the storm is to hit west but still close by. Thankful many lives 1st priority are safe!
@@corazoncubano5372 I would. I lost my dad a long time ago and I would go there to save pictures and his belongings. I know material things are just memories but I would like to preserve them. I would go there with no doubt.
What an alert & wise woman!!! She heard something and got out, didn’t hesitate or wait, just out. And her swift decision saved her life !! Lesson for all!! Thank you to those who helped her out! Good to hear this heroic story, we need more of these…God bless this lil lady !!🙏
They are most definitely heroes. Good neighbors are when you close your neighbor's open car door when they accidentally left it open, it's when you bring them a dish or call to check to see if they need anything or if they are ok. Not many people would risk their own lives to save a stranger. They had mere seconds to get out of that building before it came down.
@@angelictigerette I'd hate to think of one person alive that wouldn't have helped her or another in need! I agree, they are heroes but the world is also full of wonderful, caring people that we can be reminded of when we see things like this.
Thank you to everyone in comment section for your kind words. My name is Jack Gorfinkel. I'm the grandson of Esther Gorfinkel. Me and my family are beyond grateful that those two gentlemen were there to help her make it out . My heart goes out to those families who've lost loved ones in this devastating tragedy. I hope that they find the comfort and strength through family, friends, and G-d to persevere through these painful times.
@@annreiter284 Thank you for the kindness, Ann. I live in Broward and she's staying with my uncle. I can't express how grateful we are because we know it could have easily been a different story for her. We're so grateful to those two men. They were angels.
So glad she made it out safely! My heart is breaking for her having to go through something so traumatic when she should be enjoying her last years peacefully. But it sounds like she has a good family behind her and hopefully she can resettle somewhere comfortably. I also hope they are able to recover some of the precious belongings and pictures that she mentioned. 😢🙏🏻
I am in awe of her, her grace and beauty. I bet she could share some stories and has a lifetime of memories to share. I hope to see her beautiful face on the "Smucker's Jar" for her 100th birthday and many more thereafter. What a blessing to have her in your family. Prayers from Alabama!
Animals are like emotional support. I have a Hamster and Two Fish. And they’re my family. I love them so. I can’t imagine losing them. Rest In Peace to her birds.
What a terrible terrible situation. I am sure there are countless problem ahead for those who survived, fighting the insurance and rebuilding from zero. I hope all can stay with family for now.
@@jugy4656 No you don’t!, not certainly not then! She’s lived there since it was first built in 1981. Do you have any idea what the average age on Miami Beach was then? Why am I even asking? From your comment, the answer is clear.
@@ImaLeshLushnIcantgetmyPhil the repair this building was going to undergo was 9 million. " That cost estimate, from the Morabito Consultants engineering firm in 2018, meant owners at Champlain Towers South were facing payments of anywhere from $80,000 for a one-bedroom unit to $330,000 or so for a penthouse, to be paid all at once or in installments. Their first deadline was July 1." The yearly property tax started at $5000+ If you think people who live in condos on the beach are broke, you are sadly mistaken.
@@WalterJHuaman not even close yo what I am saying, this is a tragedy. Im just saying this time it affected the wealthier end of the spectrum. Doesnt matter how rich you are, losing family cannot be worth anything a lawsuit or insurance can pay you. At least not to a normal empathetic human being.
There's an old saying, "God isn't finished with me yet! "This beautiful soul of a woman is so blessed. 88 years on earth and was humble enough to say in a time of crisis, go on I've lived a good life. She did not want to slow the others down. The family and those who helped her were her angels on earth. God bless them all!
Situations like this they will not risk their lives collecting material objects. They will demolish the whole building once the rescue mission is finished. The most important thing is her life. The material stuff is just material
"Europe after the war" means she came from hell if you look at her surname. Then now in her twilight years to lose the good memories and all her possessions and not forgetting her friends she was able to acquire. I just hope she can find somewhere comfortable to live.
Exactly, she is a jew that came from Europe and went through that nightmare and most likely lost family to the holocaust, European pogroms...and she experiences this nightmare..
So glad to learn, she is not alone. She still has her son to create New Memories, God bless her. She really lifted my Spirits up, from this tragedy today. She is a beautiful Spirit. How smart was she, to know to get out, she is Strong!. 🙌
I’ve been in my condo building in S Fla on the beach in several hurricanes. The building would shake but I never thought it would fall down. Now it seems these condos dont need a hurricane to fall down
I bet there are going to be a lot of condos going up for sale at a good price in the near future at least from God-fearing folks. That would likely do it for me!
Don’t worry too much about other condos. This one was deliberately demolished by explosives. One of her neighbors was John McAfee. He was killed in a Spanish prison the day before, and his collection of incriminating files against certain people was stored in his Miami apartment, in that building.
Wow. She lived there most of the building's "life." Lovely lady. Very happy she got out. She may have lost her physical memories, but they'll remain in her heart
She is out and alive though. Unfortunately her birds are gone, but she will be able to purchase and enjoy other birds. The same cannot be said for the people still under the rubble.
@@susanmorse1111 Yeah let's endanger humans for birds. Because they're not doing enough already. I swear, maybe you and those that think that way should have gone down there and did it yourselves.😳🤫
I didn’t even think about how all of their medication , drivers license, identifying information who they are is all just gone. Seems like a majority of them are senior citizens as well. I hope someone works with all these people to get their IDs back. She seems to really have her wits about her for being 88. I wonder how old her son is
This was a beautiful story! Made me tear because of this compassion to love our neighbors as ourselves. This showed me that our material things here on this earth does not matter. Look how fast everything disappeared from this devastating tragedy. Keep your focus on God and let him be your treasure here on earth!
Is there a gofundme for her? Does anyone know of a gofundme for victims of this tragedy? Esther my dear, I lost my beloved Grandmother many years ago. She too traveled here to safety during the War, as did my Grandfather. America became their refuge as their family, friends, and neighbors were taken into camps to never be heard of again. I feel a connection to you. And I would love to help you get back on your feet. I don’t have much but if I can give anything to help you gain some sense of normalcy I will happily do so. It is a miracle from God you are still alive and well! And I’m so happy your neighbors aided you in your time of need! I’m sure my Grandmother would say Oi Vey my dear, you’re alive! She’d send you hugs and kisses as she often did to me as a child. I know this tragedy will hurt for a long while, but it’s a blessing you are still here. If anyone can help set up something to help her please, I and many others will happily help. Much love ♥️ hug and kisses
Yes I bet her family went through some horrors of the holocaust and european pogroms..she's definatly an Ashkenazi jew...maybe Spanish jew from the sound of her accent..
@@Dana-jb6ej there are many Cubans here in Miami who practice Judaism. Esther is probably one of them because on local TV she spoke Spanish to one of the men who carried her out.
Glad she's alive and they helped her..But she was also on the other side of building luckily. I hope she gets help and all them who survive..So sad to start all over again with everything Gone..But at least she is still here.🙏🏼
@@jackgorfinkel9360 I'm so thankful and happy she is alive. And I'm thankful you are here as well Jack. Starting over is never easy but as long as there is life, there is hope. God Bless you and your family 🙏❤️
Since the last two years it might be easy to think no one cares or we're so divided. This story, and many others, prove yet again that most people have not lost their humanity. Perhaps we could promise ourselves to keep that in mind. Bless this lady.
God bless the men that helped this lady. It’s so nice to hear good news and know that there were good people helping others during this terrible tragedy.
This is the first time I've heard a survivor talk about lost pets, I have thought from the beginning there must have been cats birds, and dogs who perished along with their owners, so incredibly sad...
88 years old... Here's hoping and praying that she's still with us in the 2030s. And let's hope her life is reconstructed and she's comfortable again in time for Christmas and New Years. God bless you and yours, Ma'am.
I'm sending prayers all the way from Baltimore. This video.... This story...this ordeal....there is something God has in store... The same friends she fears she's lost from the 3rd floor are in a story of repeated phone calls to their family ... God is up to something!! KEEEEEEP praying ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
