Tornado

This past week, we celebrated the twelfth birthday of our first grandchild. We had traveled to be with our son and daughter-in-law in their newly adopted home. We have so many sweet memories of her birth, and how excited and thrilled we were to welcome her to our family. She continues to grow to be her own special person, and is a lovely young lady. I am proud to be her Nana.

And yet, that time will also vividly stay in my memory for a very different reason. The day after she was born, tornado watches were issued. On our way to the hospital, we stopped to purchase some fun and silly balloons. Once inside, a siren went off and the store staff insisted everyone gather in the very center of the building. Eventually, the all clear was given, and we could continue on our way.

While we were visiting our new granddaughter and her family, alarms began again. Administrators huddled us all into hallways that were away from windows and glass doors. Sirens could be heard for hours. Later, multiple tornados hit the city we were in and the towns surrounding us. Ambulances arrived at the hospital all night, bringing those who had been injured or killed.

I later read that multiple tornadoes swirled within just a couple of miles of our location. Further south, the town of Tuscaloosa was just one of several hit by a tornado that was one and a half miles wide. Across the state, more than sixty tornadoes had touched down.

The next day, we drove from our hotel to the hospital and viewed the devastation. Buildings that were whole just the day before, were now flattened. Power was out across wide areas of the state. Although I had lived for years in Texas, and had experienced many hurricanes firsthand, I was not prepared for the brutality and randomness of a tornado so close.

Now that I have moved to northern Alabama, I have lived through several tornado watches and warnings. I know how to prepare, as best as I am able. My house has a storm room, which hopefully will protect me and my family if we are in the path of a tornado. Since 2011, weather forecasts have been greatly improved, and we are now able to watch in real time on TV as storms cross the area.

But I am not fooled, nor brave enough to think I am invincible. Standing up to Mother Nature is not for the faint of heart.