When my family gets to reminiscing about the house I grew up in, one of the major topics of conversation is the trees and flower beds. My mom spent hours working to make sure the weeds were gone and that the beds were full of bright, cheery flowers. When my parents sold the house eight years ago the real estate agent went on and on about how the house had such wonderful curb appeal. Of note among the foliage was a beautiful crimson maple in the middle of our front yard, that stood taller than our two story house. In the fall it looked like it was on fire. And every year, from the time I was six, I looked forward to seeing the explosion of color.
Last night we were on the phone with my brother when he hurriedly got off the phone to herd the kids into Walmart. My sister-in-law was inside and called him to say they were under a tornado warning. After getting off the phone, we were glued to both The Weather Channel and Facebook to make sure that friends and family were okay. My brother and his family were hunkered down in dressing rooms as the storm passed over. One teenage girl I used to watch myself, was babysitting. She took the little boy to the basement and sang to him as trees crashed into the house. All I can say is praise God there were no fatalities! But many friends spent today cleaning up debris and securing their homes with tarps. All while hoping that power would be restored.
We also heard from our next door neighbor this evening. They suffered roof damage and downed trees. And my childhood home? The siding was ripped off and that beautiful crimson maple is now laying across two yards. I can’t deny it makes me sad. But when I hear that tornadoes took the lives of nine more people in Oklahoma last night it provides me with some much needed perspective. Houses and trees are just stuff. They’re important to us, but they can be replaced. People are what really matter.
I don’t normally do this, but I’m urging everyone to give whatever they can. Between the devastation in Oklahoma, the damage in Missouri, and the flooding in Kentucky, every penny given can make a difference. There are many reputable organizations through which to donate, the Red Cross among them.
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