On Wednesday, friends gathered at the site where a family of five lost their lives after a fire ripped through a trailer in Porterville late Sunday night.
Just steps from the devastation shine candles flicking in the wind, along with balloons and photos of tiny lives lost.
The victims include 18-month-old William, 2-year-old Buckley, 3-year-old Charlie and 5-year-old Ruby.
"Every morning, Monday through Friday, I would get up with the kids, come over, get them ready for the day and I would get kisses and hugs," said Sucrese.
In the midst of her grief, she is holding onto those mornings she spent with the children she said she cared for like her own.
Children, including the oldest, Ruby, who had just started Kindergarten this year.
"She was just full of joy. Every morning, I would get her running to me, saying, 'Auntie Helen, can you help me get dressed? Auntie Helen, can you pick up my clothes?'" said Sucrese.
To Buckley, who recently learned to walk.
"The happy grin that he would give me every morning. I put a truck on his balloon because it was his favorite truck at my house. Ruby, I put sunglasses on because she wore those to my house constantly," remembers Sucrese.
To the youngest baby, William.
"He was just a joy."
Now the community awaits the day when they can lay these precious lives to rest.
Until then, Sucrese will cherish what was.
"It was just some of the best memories of my life," she said.
The Porterville Fire Department says the investigation could take weeks to determine the cause of the fire.
There is no word yet on when the funeral services will be held for the family.
Friends of the victims ask that donations be directly made to the Porterville Funeral Home and Cremation Center.
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