The Aftermath

In the week following the tornado, I have been in a haze. I think I'm just know coming out of my shocked state. It has been almost an out-of-body experience. Like it's happening to someone else. 

A few things have caught my attention though. And I want to share just a few observations. 

1. God's timing is incredible.
In my last post, I talked about the moments the tornado actually made its way through our neighborhood. I didn't discuss our school at all. Donelson Christian Academy, the amazing school all three Stus attend and the place I work, was devastated. The preschool is completely gone. Nothing remains of Remy's section of the school. The lower elementary wing was wiped out. It is a pile of rubble. 

Had school been in session when the tornado reared its ugly head, I don't think I'd be here to write at all. 

2. Tennessee really is the volunteer state. 
I never understood the motto before. It became crystal clear the morning after the tornado came through. Not long after sunrise, our neighborhood was flooded with people looking to help out in any capacity. 

And the line of volunteers stayed strong for more than a week! Even today, we had a group show up at our house asking if we wanted help with the fallen trees in our side yard. We did most of our yard clean up on the Saturday following the storm. We asked for a few people from church to show up and help. Our friends from a neighboring congregation came with a literal busload of volunteers. 

I would be remiss if I failed to mention the local restaurants who sent food trucks in to feed the residents and volunteers for free. I am sure I will miss some of them , but I saw Nectar, Mission BBQ, Uncle Bud's.

3. The trauma of the tornado will take us a while to get over. 
That night is something that will haunt us for a while. We stayed at my brother-in-law's and then a hotel for a few nights following the storm. Then the kids and I went to my mom's house in North Carolina. The big kids have their own rooms at my mom's, but neither wanted to sleep in them. They opted to sleep in the bonus room with me and Remy. 

The second night back in Nashville, it was stormy. The news had told us to be prepared for a possible tornado again. We were. Stu and I have the apps and alerts on our phones. We know to sleep with the ringers on. But the kids were terrified. Riley and Stu hunkered down on the couch for a while. Reagan was in my bed with me and Remy. She refused to go to her room. It was raining, she was shaking. I felt helpless... how do I take that away from her? I tried to reassure her, but she was not having it. 

4. The human spirit is resilient and strong. 
I have been impressed with the positive attitudes I have encountered these past two weeks. This incredible force of nature destroyed homes, lives, businesses... and more. Our school was destroyed in a matter of minutes. Our neighborhood looks nothing like it did. People have had to find temporary housing. Our administration has had to figure out how to finish this school year (and probably next year too for the little kids). Our first-world amenities (power, cable, internet) have been disrupted. 

But the people of Nashville don't complain. The glass is definitely half full. Instead of complaining, people are working to fix things. Instead of complaining, people are praising God for what they still have. Instead of complaining, people are readjusting to the "new normal." 

I'll be in touch shortly... I'm sure I will have fun corona-related updates to share.