Surviving the Storm
I'm a little late in writing this, but I've been so swamped, I haven't had a chance to sit down and sort my thoughts.
Last Thursday, a tornado ripped through my tiny town. There was no warning, no tornado watch, the fire department didn't even have time to sound the emergency siren. We had been having bad weather all day, but there was no indication that a tornado was going to hit. It derailed a train, and destroyed our town's baseball and football fields. There are trees uprooted and huge branches scattered everywhere. I've seen much worse damage, but it's still devastating.
I wasn't scared at the time, simply because I wasn't 100% sure what was happening, but afterward, once it was confirmed, and we saw the destruction, I lost it. M's daycare was hit pretty hard, and I'm still having a hard time with the fact that she could have been there if I would have had to work that day. Her teacher, and a couple of other kids were there, though thankfully they are alright. No one was seriously injured, so we are all very, very blessed.
What amazes me the most, is the way our town has come together, and how everyone is refusing to let this affect them. Everyone is helping each other clean up debris, and pretty much the whole town came out Saturday night to our annual German festival, despite the fact that our streets are still lined with huge branches.
I've never had much pride in where I live, but I have to say, that's changing. I'm proud of the way we've all come together, and how we're all helping each other out. I hope we never have to go through that again, but I know that if we do, our town will come together, once again, and be there for each other. And if the tornado has taught me anything, it's that I'm very blessed. I held M way too much yesterday, but I couldn't help it, I was celebrating my third Mother's Day, and I realized that could be taken away from me at any moment. So, I'm begging y'all, hug your loved ones extra tight, and be thankful for your blessings, because you never know how long you'll have them for.
7 comments:
Wow - that sounds scary. Glad you're ok and indulging in the finer things of life - namely cuddles!!
Sarah
http://acatlikecuriosity.blogspot.co.uk
This is one of those posts you start reading and goosebumps at the thought of such a scary thing happening and then you keep getting goose bumps because you're so touched by the kindness...Glad to hear you're ok and that you had a nice mother's day. Hang in there!!
In Rhode Island we don't get bad storms at all. We had a hurricane last year and it was devastating. It was a wild experience but makes you appreciate your house and the safety so much more.
Love this :) I mean I hate that your town has gone through destruction but I love how it brings everything into realization. And not to mention, even more of a reason to be my neighbor.. We don't have tornadoes :)
how terrifying!! so glad y'all are ok!
I think I've been through almost every natural disaster except for a tsunami. I can handle hurricanes, earthquakes, blizzards, floods, and hailstorms, but tornadoes scare the crap out of me. I couldn't even imagine the thought that my child could have been in a daycare that had been hit, or not even knowing that a tornado had touched down. I think we had tornadoes every spring weekend in Kentucky, and every single time I balled my eyes out and hid in the bathtub. Happy you and yours are okay, and that your community realizes that a group effort is better than individual!
English
I was thinking of you that night when I saw your town name come up on my news - so scary! I'm so glad you all are alright!!
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