Tornado in Moore

[merryyon]

The stories are coming out, teachers praying outloud, laying down on top of as many kids as possible, running to hold the front door closed, it ripped the door off and her shoes as she ran back.  Please pray for the families that lost their babies- of all ages-  for the teachers that couldn't protect every kid and for all of OKLAHOMA, a state that pulls together when the wind blows us apart.  I've only seen the damage on tv....m

[Kay/NC]

Merryyon, our hearts are with you and your fellow Oklahomans.

[lawinkle]

merryon...everytime i turn on the tv lately it seems we have lost more children.  it is heartbreaking.  i have been praying for your fellow oakies.  sending a hug .....

[wt510151]

Sad to hear of so much loss of life due to mother nature's wrath. We had a bigger tornado than that, but it was in less populated area. The school that was hit was rebuilt with reinforced walls in certain areas to withstand similar winds in the future. Hopefully they will do the same to protect the littlest ones.

[manureseller]

We deal with Mother Nature every day but it's heart wrenching when she decides to unleash her massive force on such an area. I've always said I'll take a blizzard over a tornado any day, you can prepare for a blizzard but not for the fury of a tornado.

I post on another board that has to do with horses and they are talking about the massive loss of animal life as well as human.  One poor girl lost all 3 of her horses to the tornado.  

[Kay/NC]

The debris thrown is particulsrly cruel to animals on pasture.

[Ruby Lou]

So sad, I couldn't imagine.  I have had dreams of looking out my window to see our grain bins blown apart and corn all over.  Of course if that would happen, I wouldn't have had a window to look out of.  In 1974 we had a tornado go through our farm. It was actually in December and we had just put up the Christmas tree.  It took one barn down...on cattle and it scraped part of the roof of the other on its way through with debris.  It tore up our old "chicken' house that we stored used can's and stuff in and threw that in a line out in our field.  a couple broken windows in the house.  Had to have the fire dept/utilities out to turn off electricity and gaslines.  Also helped save cattle from under the barn.  I was probably 12 at the time.  A few years ago we had to help my brother save cattle from under his barn, it is so sad and scary to see them trapped....bringing tears to my eyes right now.  I know more storms are predicted for the area up to southern Iowa in the coming days.  Rivers are flooded out and that is scary in itself crossing them.  Cedar Rapids is remembering the 2008 floods just 2 weeks from now.  Sure hope we don't get that again.

[linda/IL]

It seems that there has been one crisis after another in our country.  Certainly OK has been devastating-my heart goes out to the families that lost loved ones.  You can't replace lives. 

Called relatives in TX to see how the ones in San Antonio were and DH's cousin lives in Victoria.  They just had a car crash through their living room so were in no shape for a big storm.  A woman picking up kids at the school across the street (had been drinking).  Better that she hit their house than drive it seems.  All relatives seemed to be OK.

You have to wonder what is bringing these fires, snow, and storms to our country.  As a Christian one has to wonder.

Ruby, we headed to Ia. City for DS's brain tumor after the floods there.  Didn't understand why there were no cars at the motels as we went in until we noticed the lines on the buildings from the floodwaters.  Sure hope this rainy weather stops soon-for awhile.

[Kay/NC]

I don't wonder about these events as a religious matter.  I am sure that there are people thinking these are the End Times, and other faiths that think this is just us "infidels" receiving our just due. 

It is sort of like the friend who brought me a copy of the NY Times article today, about the proposed  friendly takeover of Smithfield Foods, which is, of course, our intregrator.  (Seems like we are all working for the Chinese theswe days, one way or the other.)  He thought I would have a big emotional reaction...and I really just shrugged and said, "It is what it is...."

I got home to find company email about the proposed acquisition, and what impact it woud have on our family as growers.  Very reassuring as to "no changes in the way we operate." 

I could have hyperventilated and stopped the volunteer work I was doing when I was told, gotten all upset; but, I knew the position the company would take would be what it is.  Beyond that, I know that it is business, and that is not even remotely the most important thing in the world. 

When you suffer a loss or disaster, it re-focuses your thoughts on priorities.  I try to check myself frequently, to see if I am slipping back into my shallower self.  For the folks who are suffering through these storms right now, as they pick up the pieces and move forward: they can choose to live a better life, even if it is a less materially rich one.   

[wt510151]

Last two nights have run to the basement at least once. Tonight tornado w/i 10 miles. We're on high ground too, but our soils don't dry out very well and we haven't started planting beans. Praying for all those that have gone through the 12 (so far) tornados tonight.