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Mom Of Children Killed In Fire Tells People How To Honor Them

BALTIMORE (WJZ) — Still hospitalized from the fire that killed six of her children, Katie Malone wrote a heartfelt message to her supporters on Facebook late Monday.

"Hi everybody. Just a quick note. I am alive. The breathing tube is gone, but I am still coughing up blood. They say this is a good thing. Tomorrow I get ice chips.

Honestly I have no idea when I will be able to leave. My purse, both my phones were incinerated in the fire. If you need to get it touch with me here is best for now, but dont expect an immediate response, please. I dont have that ability.

I truly want to thank everyone for their support. From the top of my head to the tip of my toes, thank you.

Please honor my kids. For Bridgette, its as simple as making art. Sing a Hamilton tune. Or Rent. For Amelia, speak out against injustice: women's rights, animal rights, bullying. And read. Copiously. For my twins: sit down with your best friend, or worst enemy and figure something out. Solve a problem. For Billy Be helpful. Be very very helpful. And for my Daniel: smile and laugh. Demand to be noticed if the world is passing you by. Do not forget my brave little Erin. She woke me and got me and Jack and Jane out of the house. She is a spunky super brave little soul

In time we will all be doing better. We are not the type to just swim down. Like Hercules Mulligan, Bill, Erin and I, when you knock us down, we just get the hell back up again.

Thank you all so much. And good night."

Malone was upgraded to good condition Wednesday.

Her three surviving children, 8-year-old Erin, 5-year-old Jack and a 4-year-old Jane, have all been released from the hospital.

Malone was a long-time staffer for Congressman Elijah Cummings, working in his Catonsville office.

At a press conference Wednesday afternoon, Cummings said Malone is "in good spirits."

"Her... children are out of the hospital and she feels very good about that. She's concentrating her efforts on them. Because I think it's just very hard. This is very, very, very difficult."

The "Peace A Pizza" restaurant a block away from that office is among those raising funds for the family.

RELATED: Upcoming Fundraisers for Malone Family

"I realized how close to home it was and I found myself getting a little emotional over it because I just couldn't imagine that happening to anyone," said Tom Simonton, a restaurant customer. "It was just so sad."

Mayor Catherine Pugh said at a press conference Wednesday morning that the incident "is one of the most devastating things that I have experienced thus far as Mayor of our city and all I can ask people to do now is pray for the family."

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