Storms

In light of the bad storms in the midwest, I would like to send out my thoughts and prayers to those that have suffered losses. My friend Lesa lives in OK City, and I emailed her yesterday to see if she was ok. She said that one of the tornadoes formed over her office building, then hit the building behind them. How scary is that? I am so glad she is safe. Having been born just a little southeast of OKC, and living there until I was 4 years old, I can still remember those storms. We didn't have a cellar, so we had to go to a neighbor's house down the street. One vivid memory is of being pulled by the hand, running down the street to the neighbor's house, looking behind me, and seeing the tornado in the sky behind us. Needless to say, I still get real nervous when I hear tornado warnings. When I lived in California, my living room windows faced the south, and I used to sit and watch the funnel clouds moving from west to east. I know, alot of people don't think California has anything but earthquakes, but they are wrong. They have alot of tornadoes there, you just don't hear about them because they rarely touch down. And now I am living in New York. YES, they have them here too! I have been here for 10 years, and since I moved here, there's been several. Luckily, none have touched down near us, but that doesn't mean that I am any less terrified. We had a tornado warning one afternoon, and Rob tried to call his dad. No answer. So, he jumped in the car and headed over there. As he was driving over, he could see a funnel form and travel from west to east near where his dad lived. He sped up and about 2 miles from his dad's house he saw his father's car on the side of the road, with his dad sitting in it. Everything bad went through his mind as he pulled over. He ran to the car and his dad was sitting there looking at the sky. Rob asked what he was doing, and Dad answered..."I'm watching." It was a relief that he was okay. Rob told his dad to follow him to our house, and he could "watch" from somewhere a little safer than the side of the road! That day, the tornado touched down in 2 small towns about 5 miles from us and did some damage. It sure makes you respect Mother Nature and her wrath. It also pulls you closer to your faith. So, whether is storming or clear, rainy or sunny, hot or cold, count your blessings that you are safe and that there is a higher power looking out for you, whatever form you believe it to be. Now, I have to drive 50 miles while it's snowing to have my car worked on. So, say a prayer that I get there and back safely. Have a great day!!