“It’s not a ‘why me’ feeling; it’s a ‘why now’ feeling,” Kleman said of the timing just three months before her June 3 graduation. “Things felt like they were going at a perfect pace, then something happens out of the blue you don’t expect.”
Sometimes unexpected trials can lead to unexpected blessings.
Herff Jones, the company that supplies Edgewood students with graduation materials, resubmitted Kleman’s order at no additional charge.
The schools also are pitching in. Edgewood’s drama club is donating the proceeds to their winter play to the Kleman family.
“I’ve always been a strong believer — God doesn’t bring you anything you can’t handle,” Kleman said. “We have a lot of love coming to us, and I think it’s changing us for the better.”
She was particularly touched by the play donations. She acted in last year’s winter performance, which raised more than $1,000 to the Haiti Relief Fund.
“She’s one of ours,” said Becky Simpson, who directed the play, “Give and Take.” “I got a great big hug when she found out.”
Also in the plans is a fundraiser in which faculty members districtwide can make a donation of $3 or more to wear jeans on a Thursday, with proceeds to benefit the Klemans. A number of area churches also are raising money to benefit the family.
Kleman has been staying with friends since the fire, and although she lost some cherished belongings, including a teddy bear from her grandfather, she knows she must count her blessings. Her mother and grandmother, Diane Kleman and Pat Goedde, escaped without harm while Courtney was at work. Even Cleo, Courtney’s long haired Daushund, survived without any bumps or bruises.
“I know she’s had her moments but she’s doing better,” Diane Kleman said. “She’s hanging in there.”
Trenton fire officials say their investigation of the incident is ongoing, but believe the cause was electrical.
Some of Kleman’s friends took her shopping recently to start replacing clothes lost in the fire. In the car, the girls were being teenagers, singing Katy Perry songs at the top of their lungs.
“They help me laugh,” Kleman said. “They’re really helpful.”
Her best friend, Brook Baber, says it’s the least they can do.
“My heart just broke when I found out,” Baber said. “But she knows God is just giving her a new start and everyone is here for her.”
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