Trees all fall down and the 'nado broke the house

Where to even begin.  April 27, 2011, a day that most of Alabama will always remember if not most of the world.  The destruction began around 5am.  Luckily, Cliff heard the text message that said we were under a tornado warning.  He calmly woke me and asked me to turn on the television to look at the radar and I think that was the last calm moment of the day. 

The tornado warning was for northern Tuscaloosa county, around the Samantha area, but he grew concerned with something he saw at the bottom of the screen.  Jason Simpson, the morning meteorologist at ABC33/40 said, "North to South, if you are in Tuscaloosa County, take cover now."  It was then that Cliff asked me to get Katelyn up.  We got in the hall just in time....I covered her head with a pillow and her body with mine, then Cliff covered me with his body.  He asked me, "Do you hear that?"  It was the roar of the tornado.  I screamed.  The crashing began.  I prayed.  I thought we were going to die.  It lasted only seconds, but tremendous damage was done.  There was a tree in Drake's room and I could hear water flowing into the house.

Cliff said we had to leave.  I was terrified.  There was still lightening outside, but other than the flashes, it was dark.  All I knew was that we couldn't drive, and it wasn't safe to stay in our home since we didn't know the extent of the damage.  We walked, and walked, and climbed through trees until we could finally get to a vehicle.  Brusied, battered, soaking wet, and visibly shaken, we started our day. 

But that was just the beginning...tornado warnings were issued all day for many places in Alabama.  Around 3:00 when I got a message that Tuscaloosa County was under another warning, I knew I had to find a safe place.  I packed a backpack for us and we went to our dear friend's home--The Vandiver's.  Watching the tornado that was hitting the city of Tuscaloosa made me physically ill.  Still being shell-shocked from the storm that woke us, I was terrified for my family, and mostly my son, whom I had sent to stay with his Gran for the night.  Every indication was that he was going to take a direct hit from the storm.  Thankfully, he was safe and miles away, but then our attention turned to the fact that the storm was headed straight for Brookwood, where our girls were.  Once we were certain that everyone was safe, we felt a little better, but hearing that our town looked like a bomb went off it it brought forth new emotions. 

Our gym was gone, as well as Chuck E. Cheese...where we were supposed to attend a birthday party in just a few days.  But then the reality set in that there were people, potentially children, in these places that were destroyed.  All in all, there were over 40 people that died in the Tuscaloosa storm.  A large number, but a number that could have easily been much higher. 


Thanks to a multitude of voluneteers and wonderful friends, we were finally able to get our vehicles out the next day, about 36 hours from the time the storm hit.  I was a mess, not knowing where to even begin.  Sometimes still, I have those feelings.  Feeling helpless and homeless. 

About a week after the storm, the girls came to stay with us.  I had to go by the house to get clothes and other necessities for the girls.  I told Aubree, our two year old, she could come inside, but she had to be sure not to touch ANYTHING and stay by my side at all times.  She was in shock as soon as we turned down our road.  Her first response, "Trees all fall down."  I told her yes, the trees are all gone.  Then we went inside.  "OH MY GOODNESS!!"  followed by "The 'nado hit the house and broke it."  But it touched my heart when she was concerned with "Drake's bed's gone, where is he sleeping?"    She was so concerned for Drake and his bed and his room, and the compassion of a two year olds feelings were very apparent. 

Tomorrow morning will be six weeks since the 'nado broke our house, and hopefully, the contruction to make repairs will start tomorrow or Thursday.  Over the past six weeks, I have learned many things....A few are:

1. The 'nado may have broken the house, but it has made my relationship with my husband and family and friends so much stronger.
2. I have found out the true spirit of giving and genuine concern for others.
3. I have found out that I have far more true friends than I ever thought possible.
4. and God has a plan for us, and if we sit back and trust in HIM, he will reveal it in His time, not mine.

This experience has been part Hell, but has brought so many blessings to us.  I am trying to see all of those, although sometimes I have to be hit over the head to see them.  But, one thing is for certain--we are here for a reason.