As I was sitting here trying to think of a blog post for today, I hope you won’t mind if I get very personal.  Working online in the traffic exchange industry, we have developed what I feel is a very close social community.  Whenever mother nature brings about a catastrophic disaster, like the tornadoes in Oklahoma, all I can do is pray none of our members are affected.  It is hard for me to concentrate on anything else.

The Past

I live in what we locals call tornado alley.  I understand the devastation of tornadoes.  The worst coming in 1982 when my grandparents lost their home and were trapped in their basement until my family dug them out.  From the same tornado, my aunt was trapped at her work place and was rescued as well.  I can still see my grandma covered in coal dust from the old house.  My Mom was giving her a bath and I recall Grandma saying “It’s gonna take me a week to get that house cleaned up”.  She was in shock and didn’t even realize there was no house left.  Still to this day, you can see the path the tornado took in some of the tree lines in southern Illinois.  Luckily no one in my family was killed.  My heart is breaking for the people in Oklahoma.  Their lives have changed forever and I understand the feelings of fear they will feel every time the tornado siren goes off.

Community

With every tragedy,   someone has to pick up the pieces.  Although the devastation is unthinkable, there are already volunteers there helping pick up the pieces.  The worst of times seems to bring out the best in people.  I watch with amazement as communities work together to pull themselves out of the rubble.  There are always stories which surface to make us smile or to make us cry.  In the midst of the Oklahoma tragedy, I found a story which made me do both.  You can watch the video >>HERE<<.

Today, I am counting my blessings.  Today, I am grieving for the people in Oklahoma.  Today, I am praying none of our members have been affected by this devastation.