A Bridgeport family who was left homeless by a fire a year ago said Sunday they're grateful to be back in their home, calling it "a holiday miracle."

"It's just hard, so hard," Elizabeth Sarafin said.

News 12 Connecticut first reported on the health care worker a year ago when her condo tucked away at the end of Woodmont Avenue was gutted by fire.

Fire officials said it started elsewhere in the complex, then spread to the single-working mother's apartment.

Through no fault of her own, Sarafin ultimately forced her family out of their home until the place could be repaired.

The family moved back into the apartment Sunday, one year later almost to the day after repairs were finally completed.

Although the condo was filled with boxes as the family settled back into their home, Sarafin said it was also filled with excitement, the kind that comes with closing the door on the past.

Standing in a brand-new kitchen Sarafin said she was grateful that after her story was told on News 12 Connecticut last year, Rev. Dr. Herron K. Gaston, of Summerfield United Methodist Church, a housing advocate, stepped up to help by pressing her complex to finish all the repairs so she and her son Damon could get back into it in time for the holidays.

"For the holidays, she's going back into her condo unit and it's just an incredible and wonderful thing," Gaston enthused.

"I thank him from the bottom of my heart," Sarafin said.

The mother, who said her son Damon has "serious chronic health problems," said she was forced to rent a second apartment out of her own pocket after insurance ran out.

Sarafin said if News 12 Connecticut had never put a spotlight on her story, she would still be displaced.

"Thank you so so much. I really appreciate it," she said.

After a very long and chaotic year, a happy family is now ready to spend Thanksgiving back in their home together.

Sarafin added, "Only people who've actually been homeless can understand the strain it puts on a family."