Mother thanks firefighters who tried to save her family

BELTON, Mo. - The community came together Saturday night to rally behind a woman who lost everything in minutes.

Shyla Greve lost her husband and two children when the family’s south Kansas City home caught on fire in May.

The Greves' home has been demolished, but three crosses remain. Saturday night neighbors lit candles in Memory of Greve's husband Chris, 7-year-old daughter Donnica and her 2-year-old son, Brinton.

Greve's story is truly an inspiration. It's a story that has inspired friends and fellow church members at LifeQuest in Belton to understand the strength of community.

Pastor Chris Pinion arranged Saturday’s benefit for Shyla, which aims to help the widow put a down payment on a new home. Yet the most important element of the benefit concert, Pinion said, was giving Shyla the opportunity to share her incredible story about faith.

"If you're down, depressed, if you've lost your job, then you need to listen to Greve's story," Pinion said. "She has inspired so many people by giving them perspective. You can have a bad day, but when you think of Shyla and you think about what she is going through, it makes your bad day seem much better. Her faith and strength has made all of our faith stronger."

On May 15, 2012, Greve left her home to work an overnight shift at a nearby hotel. She kissed her husband and kids goodnight before heading out the door. Hours later, Greve got a call that her house caught on fire. By the time she got home, it was too late. At first, Greve says she was angry. But her faith, she says, carried her through.

"To know every day that my family is watching over me is special, so you need to pick one foot up over the other and walk and walk with The Lord and I know it'll be OK," Shyla said.

Shyla's faith has been such an inspiration to the LifeQuest church family, that members have raised thousands of dollars to help her rebuild.

The band 3AM heard Shyla’s story on 41 Action News and wrote her the song “With You.” They performed it live for the first time on Saturday.

"It's a wonderful feeling to know that so many people that I don't know or barely know just want to surround me with love." Shyla said.

Saturday night, that love came full circle as Shyla met the men who tried desperately to save her family. It was an emotional moment for which she had waited five months.

"You guys are all heroes in my eyes," she told them as tears streamed down her face. "It wasn't a save, but that doesn't mean you failed because it just wasn't meant to be. It's a big honor for me to meet each of you, hug you and reassure you that you did their best and I understand that now."

Shyla wants to encourage anyone who feels lost to find hope in her story.

Shyla has also found comfort in giving back. She donated 2-year-old Brinton’s heart valves and corneas, and that gift has already saved two children.