Heavy Heart

This is going to be a rambling post but I'm not sorry I'm rambling. I mention often that I live in Oklahoma. Well I live just a few miles from the devastating tornado in Moore. It would take me 15 minutes to drive there from my house. I know that area well. And it breaks my heart to see it like this. I lived here in 1999 when May 3 happened. But I didn't know Moore then like I do now. Moore took the devastation that happened and reenergized their town. They grew exponentionally and they were strong. The number of storm shelters in homes in Moore is probably greater than anywhere else in Oklahoma. I'm sure they will rebuild again.

But it won't be the same. The tornado took lives. It hit two elementary schools. From the air they both look to have taken somewhat similar damage. Yet one was built more recently and all the children were found alive. The other one was older and children died. As a parent, my heart breaks for the parents that still don't know what happened to their children. They are still waiting.

Last night I had a talk with Whitney about this. She is hurting. This is the first time she is old enough to truly understand what is going on and what it all means. I'm trying to help her understand and yet I don't even comprehend it all. I've donated money. I know to avoid the area. I pray for the families. It doesn't seem like enough.

I was awake most of the night with my mind racing on what we can do. We will be going to our church today which is acting as a shelter. I'm working on trying to organize our building's efforts.

I talk often that I work with weather people. We knew it was coming. On Friday they were posting the three day risk area. We were in the severe area for Sunday and Monday. Yesterday morning they said it would hit between 1-7pm. There was 20-30 minutes of lead time before the tornado hit. And once it was on the ground in Newcastle there was 15-20 minutes before it hit the schools. The work that my colleagues does has worked hard to increase that lead time. You will see many people that I work with on tv. I'm proud to work with these people. They ARE making a difference.

I told you this would be rambling. Thank you for reading.