On Tuesday I left earlier for my trip to Alabama then planned in order to get ahead of an upcoming storm. I was told that the next day or so would bring with it serious weather. I hurriedly packed, loaded the children into the van, cancelled my nail appointment, and got on the road. The first hour or so was rainy and I was fearful of what the drive would bring. However, after that first hour, we had beautiful weather to travel in and I was very grateful. I arrived at my parent's house ready to enjoy our Spring Break. My father said that we had bad weather coming, though, and so we did what we could to prepare to go to the shelter.
My parents live in a mobile home. They had scheduled it to be moved on May 2nd in preparation for the construction of their home. Because mobile homes are very unsafe to be in during a tornado, my father built a shelter. I call it the "Hobbit Hole" because it is mostly underground with earth rounded over it. It is only similar to a real "Hobbit's" home in shape, however. Where Tolkien had imagined dry, cheerful, cozy habitations, our Hobbit Hole is quite the opposite. I have to say that I hate it! It is built of cross ties and is dark, damp and smelly. However, during a tornado, I LOVE that Hobbit Hole!! I was very thankful to have a place to go with my parents and children that would offer us protection from the raging winds. 
As it would turn out, we would use that shelter on two separate occasions. The first was at 5 am on Wednesday, April 27th. We grabbed our prepared bags containing diapers, wipes, Noah's insulin kit, flashlights, water, snacks, etc. We roused the children and hurriedly carried them outside and into the shelter. It was a tense hour as we sat there in the near dark. The children were understandably irritable. It was not a pleasant experience. After the storm had passed, we returned to the house with grateful hearts and happy that we had survived what we thought was the worst. Unfortunately, the worst was yet to come.
Mother and I drove around to see how extensive the damage was. Our electricity had gone out during the storm, and we had no idea how long we would have to go without it. We were dismayed to find many, many trees down. Power lines laced the road. There were many places that were uncrossable. We were very sad to hear that there were 5 deaths related to the storm, and once again were very grateful for our safety.
While we were out, we heard that there was another line of storms headed for us. This seemed incongruous with the calm weather we were experiencing. I now really understand the phrase, "calm before the storm". Our power came back on around 1 pm. We only lost power for about 8 hours--and during the morning to early afternoon--arguably the best possible time during dangerous weather to have to go without electricity . Then, we heard about the tornado assaulting Tuscaloosa. We hurried the children back into the shelter. My father came down and said that it was the worst tornado he had ever seen; this is saying a lot as he spent 20 years in the Navy as a weatherman. We waited, our hearts pounding, for the bad weather to hit. There was only a light sprinkle of rain here and there. The trees were almost swirling and we expected the worst. We saw very dark clouds moving to the north of us--later realizing that this was the terrible storm that had already caused so much death and destruction and had more in her path. Throughout the weather, I used my Iphone to stay in touch with those around me via Facebook. I heard of the damage around us and I was very fearful of what else would be discovered. I called my brother, Shane, to check on him and his wife and little boy. I didn't get an answer and was very fearful for their safety. Shane later called me and recounted his experience in the storm. He had been at work at Longhorn Steakhouse in Midtown. He heard the tornado as it made its way down McFarland Boulevard. Once he realized that it would not hit him directly, he went outside to watch. He says it was just horrible. After it had passed he ran to see what he could do to help. There was destruction everywhere. He saw a badly injured man on a board. There would not be time to wait for an ambulance. He offered his truck and they loaded the poor man onto the truck bed, and with a police escort my hero brother drove him the short distance to DCH (Druid City Hospital). Two other men in the collapsed house that this man had been pulled out of were not as fortunate. They were already dead. I feel so terrible that my brother had to endure this scene of horror. It is bad enough for trained doctors and trauma nurses, but for everyday people it is truly devastating. We would later learn that at least 50 people would die in Tuscaloosa due to this tornado, with 1000+ injured, and hundreds still missing. The storm continued on, claiming more lives and property.
I had looked forward to watching the Royal Wedding, but due to the weather related conditions I only managed to catch the highlights. I was pleased with what I saw. Princess Katherine is very likable and I loved how modest and graceful her dress was. My friend Becky McCain was to be married to her sweetheart, Steve Ennis, on Saturday, April 30. This was up in the air, now, and we waited hoping that they would be able to be sealed. Fortunately, things were able to go as smoothly as possible. It was so wonderful to be able to see Becky be married to her beau. It was a lovely, life-affirming ceremony. It was truly a bright spot in the week. Church on Sunday was charged. Teams were sent out to gauge the needs in the Pleasant Grove/Concord area. This is all in preparation for the Mormons Helping Hands outreach that will begin this week. For 4-6 weeks teams from across the Southeast will gather in affected areas to clear debris, cut and remove trees, make whatever repairs possible, and generally administer to the needs of those whose lives have forever been impacted by this storm.
We drove home Sunday afternoon/evening. I saw posted on Facebook that the President was going to make an important announcement regarding National Security. When the news got out that Osama Bin Laden was dead, I was elated. How much death and misery had he brought into this world? The tornado had done it's terrible damage, but it was not an intentional, premeditated attack. Osama and Al Qaeda did their destruction intentionally. I was so glad that he was forever denied any more opportunity to wreak havoc on this earth. His time is over--thanks to America and her servicemen and women.
So now, a new week has started. My sweet little John John turns six today. I am so glad that such wonderful news started this day off right.
Happy Birthday, John!
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