Gratituesday

Yesterday a crazy storm blew through our area and left behind a ton of tree damage.  I was driving home when the storm hit: the sky turned black and bright and green all at once.  My windshield wipers could hardly keep up with the downpour.  I pulled into the driveway and sat in my car for a few seconds wondering if I should wait for a break in the storm or run inside.  I looked up and saw a huge gust of wind come over our house carrying leaves and debris sideways.  At that point, I realized it might be a tornado, and thought I should try to get inside.  My next thought was wondering if that was even possible or if the wind would blow me down the street.  I decided to run.  Just as I was running up to the door, I heard a loud bang and the neighbors tree crashed across the street where I had been driving literally just two minutes before.  I was completely drenched but safe.

A kind of hilarious moment - when I was running up to the door, I lost one of my flip flops.  I had a split second debate about whether or not to go back for it.  I thought "people don't go back for flip flops in tornados" and then "but I'll never see my flip flop again if I don't go back and get it".  I went the two steps back to get the flip flop.  Seriously?  Who does that?  lol

After the storm we went out to run an errand and saw the extent of the damage.  4-5 streets just in our neighborhood alone were completely blocked off like this with enormous trees down.  Nearly every house had huge tree limbs strewn around.  After the clean up efforts yesterday, the entire street is completely lined with brush pulled from everyone's yards.

I'm so thankful that our family is safe and sound.  No one that I know of was hurt.  It was neat to see all of our neighbors outside working together to cut up branches and rake leaves up.  The city did come through with tractors and is working hard to clean things up as well.

After I dried off with a towel and changed my drenched clothes, I hugged my kids tight.

linked to Gratituesday