Monday, May 20, 2013

Oklahoma.....

Heartland Strong....

"We are, sadly, very experienced with this...."

In May 1999 I was in Edmond babysitting two amazing little kiddos, ages 6 and 3 when The Tornado of '99 came through. As we huddled under the staircase with blankets, pillows, flashlights, Chips Ahoy cookies, some candy, some water and a radio with dead batteries, I entertained these two kids in endless stories and banter about Blues Clues and make-believe super heroes. In my distorted mind, at 20 years old, I was thinking that if their parents didn't make it home, if something happened to them, I would have two kids. I would be responsible for them. I was up for it, without hesitation. I never even considered aunts, uncles, grandparents....they were in my care and I was responsible for them. That night my life changed. Something happened that made me realize that life is real. Life is short. Life is fragile. And at that point I was only 20. I wasn't a mom...I had no idea what it would be like 15 years later, when I had my own. 

When all was calm and the two kiddos were fast asleep under the stairs I crept out to watch the weather. All was clear. I carried each one to their bed and sat on the couch and cried. It was hours past time for their parents to return. Devastation was bad, but not quite as bad as tonight. 

As I sat and watched the news, much like tonight, I saw the complete devastation..... Finally I heard from the parents. They were ok. Stuck in Norman, but ok. I wasn't going to be a 20 year old mom. 

I have experienced many tornados in my life. It's just a part of life growing up in Tornado Alley Oklahoma. But never, never ever is anyone prepared for what happened today....And for it to happen in nearly the same path of the 1999 tornado. And to hit schools....

Just when I feel like I can come out of my shell and face the world that has become not-so-safe this happens. Just when I decide to find my Muchness something like this happens, something that threatens to take my Muchness away, just as I'm finding it. Life is tough. Life is hard. Life is not always roses and sunshine....Life likes to eat Muchness for breakfast.....

Not my Muchness. Not today....

Heartland Strong... My thoughts go out to my friends who were affected. Thank God my family was just out of reach.

This is what one of my friends saw when he emerged from his storm shelter.....





7 comments:

  1. Very devastating. I was just hearing about the storm of 99 on TV this morning. It's always sad when people lose their homes, but it's unthinkable when so many lives, especially those of children are taken. My thoughts and prayers are with those families this morning.

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  2. Glad you are okay, my thoughts and prayers going out to your state today.

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  3. Oh my gosh. That last photo. Thinking of those families today.

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  4. Oh my goodness, I cannot even imagine the devastation, and looking at the pictures just breaks my heart! Glad that you and your loved ones are safe!

    Shannon at I Survived and Now I Run

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  5. I'm so glad your family and friends are safe!!!

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  6. I'm so glad that you and your family and friends are ok...there are just no words except that OK is in my prayers!

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  7. This was so horrible. So glad your family is ok, and praying for your friends still there. They will need lots of strength to rebuild.

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You're pretty much awesome!!

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