Where Were You When...

This is the question that gets asked whenever some major event takes place. Where were you when JFK died? Where were you when 911 happened? Where were you when the tornadoes hit? Everyone remembers where they were and everyone has a story to tell.

This is my story.

While out running errands with the kiddos I noticed the sky lookin pretty black but thought nothing of it except for a big storm. I just had to run in Kohl's real quick and then head home. Now I have never been the "on edge" type when it comes to storms but apparently things have changed.

As I'm about to check out I get a call from my sister, "There's a tornado warning in Nashville and I'm not coming down just yet." Ok, I think, I'm gonna check out and head home...not freaking out. I'm about to leave and they come on the intercom saying tornado warnings and move to the center of the store. I decide I'd rather be at home then around a bunch of people freaking out which could, in turn, cause Logan to have a huge fear of storms. I head out and see about 10 streaks of lightning through the sky and it's just barely starting to rain. I can totally make it home...still not freaking out.

Get in, turn on the weather and see the line of storms barreling through Tennessee. So I scoop up the kids, some pillows and flashlights, turn the TV as loud as I can and go to into Logans bathroom. I hear that there are possible touchdowns in the Blackman area and I24...freaking out now? Nope. Logan? YES!

I finally hear that they have passed through our immediate area and think we are in the clear. "WHEW! Not too bad," I think. My phone finally starts to half way work and I'm getting calls from friends. They're saying things like, "We saw the tornado, it was huge, mattresses were being used as shelter, cars were flipped, debris is everywhere!" Really? I honestly just thought it might be like the one a few weeks ago and no, I'm still not really freaking out.

The next morning Logan and I went to our good friends, The Parkers, home who live right beside the Sulphur Springs area. We decided to drive through the neighborhood and see what exactly has happened. Keep in mind that these are the neighborhoods I grew up in. These are the streets that hold my childhood memories. Sulphur Springs, Regency, Ravenwood, Riverview etc... I have a story for much of this area. Many families I grew up with are still there. Words can not describe what we saw. Nor can pictures. I was in complete shock at the lose these people have suffered. I am soooo thankful that no one I know was injured! And feel so completely disheartened for those that were in the path. I can feel the tears coming just thinking about it. Too close for comfort!

This is just down the street from some long time friends of the family's

home and a frequent bike route from my childhood. Their home was untouched.

Freaking out now? YEP!

And now? Well now I'm just a big ball of nerves. I just didn't realize what had happened and what had been RIGHT down the road from us. What was I thinking driving home from Kohl's!? I had 2 kids in tow! The tornado was right across the street! I apparently need to heed warnings when they are given. Lesson Learned.

Today I found out just how many nerves were being balled up in there. I'm on my way to get Logan from school today. I'd heard we were under a Tornado Watch and the sky's lookin bad just as I'm leaving home. Now? Totally Freaking! I'm talking shaky hands and tears wellin. Oh my. What has happened to me? I just have to keep telling myself, "This was a very rare occurence and the odds of it happening again any time soon are very slim. I HAVE to pull it together before Logan gets in the car." Thankfully the storms pass just after I get him but is this what I have to look forward to every time I hear a storms comin? No, I can get a handle on this. I control me and THIS is not me!

And that's my story. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to google storm shelters.