Tuesday, June 08, 2010
Strange Daze...
Over the last few days, I've seen a couple of small towns where I live get leveled from tornadoes. I've seen lives devastated, homes and businesses ruined. And to top it off today at work, our former county auditor decides to take a flying leap from the fifth level of the parking garage and end it all. Why did he have to pick my place of employment?? To quote the profound theologian Slim Pickens (he of "Blazing Saddles" fame)... "What in the wide, wide world of sports is going on around here???" I'm sitting here typing this out, still in a bit of shock over everything that's transpired over the last 72 hours. Its just been insane. Just freaking nuts! I'm trying to find the words to convey what I'm feeling right now, but I just can't seem to find them. You can go on different news websites to see the destruction from the tornadoes that came through my neck of the woods. Some only a couple of miles from me. But until you see it first hand, video doesn't begin to do it justice. It looked like a dang bomb went off and now resembles a war zone. In Lake Township, it leveled the police station and destroyed the high school only 14 hours before graduation commencement was to take place there. They ended up holding the graduation tonight at a local junior college. The bad part of that was that of the folks killed, one of them happened to be the father of the valedictorian. I'm very blessed that my small town was spared. Only very minor damage to some fencing. A small silver lining is that I am not surprised at the response of the people to those horrible storms. Trying to pick up the pieces... these people just sprang into action. That is what is so good about small town folks in middle America. People who had just seen their lives forever changed in a matter of seconds, were out there in the blinding rain, and wind... not to mention darkness (this happened at about 11pm on Saturday night and again at 3am Sunday morning) looking for their neighbors to see if they were still alive or if they needed to be rescued. People helping people. They will persevere... That's what it's all about.
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6 comments:
Hi Mik.
I am so sorry so much is going on in your side of the fence. We had a Level 4 tornado go thru my small town years back and there are still repairs going on to correct it. It was devastating. Do not be discouraged though, as tragic as these events are I think you know that there is a time for everything. Men plan their paths, but God will order his footsteps. Hang in there!
I've been hearing about the tornadoes, Mik. Hope they give you a wide berth.
BTW, better put comment moderation on, you've got Chinese spam comments.
Really a large and horrific twister! So sad for so many, but there is a lot of reassurance in how people reach out to one another.
Toledo area was hit hard, glad you are OK and had minimal damage. Tragic about the suicide, but uplifting about the support of the community from the storms.
I heard about many of those Mik- especially hard was the dad of the high school valedictorian, made me cry. I remember the devestation around here when we had hurricanes charlie and wilma a couple years back. It is surreal when you see places wiped out where you once walked around and visited or hung out at. These kinds of things happen everywhere (not that it makes it easier) but what really touches me when they do, is to see the loving kindness of folks pulling together and helping their neighbors... like you said- middle, every day ordinary America. Helping each other when we are in desperate need, it's what it's all about isn't it. As for the guy who did the dive. Mik, that is awful. I've known people who have killed themselves, and for that, I really get angry with them for being so dang selfish. It tears apart those left to try and understand the "whys"- and it's not pleasant for the innocent bystanders such as yourself and your co workers who had to be there.
I thought there's never a dull moment around my neck of the woods Mik, but I think you've finally got me beat. God Bless you and your precious ones Mik. Keep looking up my brother and friend.
Oh, and one more thing- you did it to me again you know? Made me laugh at a totally inappropriate time! Slim Pickens indeed! One of my favs of course, and I made Michael watch it for his first time. He had tears streaming by the time it was a quarter way through. God Love you mik- and so do I!
pineckinSo sorry that those things have been coming through your area doing so much damage and about the causualty in your building. We have a good many of those in our area. In fact I was in one many years ago. By the grace Of God I and my friend made it through untouched. Thanks for coming by my blog and for your prayers.
Hugs to you and your loved ones.
Helen
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