It Sounded Like a Freight Train

TUSCALOOSA TORNADO - APRIL 27, 2011
As you know, parts of Alabama and Georgia were hit by some pretty severe weather about two months ago.  I know people that were in the path of the storm that live in both places and I can't say that I wasn't worried about them...I was.  Fortunately, they ALL made it through without a scratch but a lot of people weren't as fortunate.
One of my co-workers mentioned to me that she was going with her church to help in the cleanup.  At the time I couldn't make it to that trip, but asked her to let me know if they did another.  Sure enough they did, and Melissa let me know.  Without a second thought I signed up.  A short time later I was having lunch with another friend, Anna, and mentioned to her that I was going to do this, and being the type of person she is, she was in as well.  There are just some people you know so well, that had she said 'OK you have fun' I would have been stunned.  People like these two are awesome and rank highly in my book.
Personally, I did this not because I am looking for a thank you or some kind of extra credit with humanity or anything, and in the scheme of things I did very little, but I did this because I just wanted to do something.

I am sure that you want all kinds of details, and I have all kinds, but I just can't share all of them.  But for those thoughts I wish to share, here you go:

• People without anything that make it through something like this still have the most important thing in the world...their lives.
• Sometimes help can be too overwhelming...and difficult to deal with and accept.
• (Actually I had about 10 things listed here, but...these are two that really stood out.  If you want to know more about this, just ask me in person.  And, in all honesty, I am still processing this.)

I do have some photos that I tried to take as discreetly and respectfully as possible that I will share.

First stop.

Someone's home was here before the cleanup before the tornado.

Us.

FEMA Marking.  (This picture is actually really special to me.)

Last stop.

It's a purple room...this was someone's home.  Imagine the kid that doesn't live here anymore.

I took this one for Anna and myself just because...

Really...this is scary!

Don't just note the house off the foundation...look at the wood spears sticking out of the wall on the left.

Whether you believe in God or not...stop and think about what is important in your life...