In any situation, my spouse used to joke that I had a backside so impressive that it could raise the dead from their graves. I try to avoid testing that theory! Isn’t that hilarious?

If this joke brought a smile to your face, make sure to SHARE it on Facebook with your friends and family.

Now, for something more somber. In a small town in Missouri called Defiance, an unimaginable tragedy took place when a house explosion claimed the lives of two young children.

Due to severe weather conditions, the local school had canceled classes, leaving the children at home. Four-year-old Julian Keiser and his six-year-old brother, Jamison Keiser, were at their house just outside of St. Louis near Highway 94. Sadly, they could not escape the flames when their home erupted early Friday morning.

Their mother, Evelyn Turpiano, along with their grandparents, Jennifer and Vern Ham, managed to flee the burning building and made it to safety, according to authorities and a GoFundMe page set up in their honor.

This devastating incident has left the whole community—and indeed, the entire country—in mourning. When you learn the heartbreaking details, you’ll be moved to tears

A neighbor, Sharon Oberlag, described the boys as “the sweetest little boys.” She told the news, “They absolutely loved school and thought it was the best thing ever. They were just so adorable.” Oberlag explained that both Julian and Jamison were at home because their school had canceled lessons due to the cold. The explosion happened while they were home, with Jaiden, who had just started kindergarten, also present.

Firefighters faced a grim situation when they arrived at the scene. By the time they got there, the house was fully engulfed in flames. Firefighters attempted to enter through a window to search for the boys, but according to New Melle Fire Protection District Chief Dan Casey, the intense fire hindered their ability to find them immediately. Tragically, the boys’ bodies were later recovered.

Oberlag told KMOV, a local news station, that she had heard a noise resembling an explosion coming from the house. “It’s heartbreaking,” she said. “We had no idea that we were going to lose two little boys that day. Everyone rushed to help, but what happened is truly a tragedy.”

Oberlag further added, “Nick and Travis, the neighbors, tried to get to the boys, but they couldn’t. It’s just awful.”

The cause of the explosion and fire is still under investigation.

The Hoffmann Family of Companies, a Florida-based business owned by Missourians David and Jerri Hoffmann, owned the house that exploded. The Hoffmanns have invested heavily in the surrounding area, purchasing wineries and restaurants with the hope of transforming it into the “Napa Valley of the Midwest.” In a statement, the Hoffmanns said, “Our hearts go out to our team member and their family who lost their children and grandchildren. As a family-run company, we are committed to supporting them through this difficult time.”

The house that was destroyed was located near the Defiance Roadhouse, a bar and grill owned by the boys’ mother, Evelyn Turpiano. Jennifer Ham, their grandmother, also ran another local establishment for many years. Dan Tripp, co-owner of Good News Brewing in Defiance, mentioned that both women were involved in the Defiance Merchants Association, which supports local wineries.

Tripp set up a GoFundMe page for the family, which has raised over $145,000 as of Monday morning. He added that anyone who had met the boys at the Defiance Roadhouse or at local events like the Christmas Festival or the St. Patrick’s Day parade would remember their enthusiasm and joy. “They brought so much happiness to everyone around them.”

The family now faces the unimaginable task of arranging two funerals while also having lost their home and all their belongings. “In addition to financial contributions, the family will need your prayers and emotional support as they grieve the loss of two precious little boys,” the GoFundMe page states.

A neighbor, Laura Emerson, visited the site to place a Christmas wreath on a water pump near the destroyed home. She filled the wreath with two plush animals, a small tribute to the boys. “They were happy, smart, and so loved,” she said.