Monday, I received a call from my producer telling me that I would not be going on. So, I hot tailed it over to my daughter’s elementary school to help prepare for that evenings 5th Grade Recognition. It turned out that I would help our school shuttle students and parents into the school to prepare for an imminent storm. Little did any of us know that we would be riding out a storm that would go north of us and destroy our neighbors 5 miles away.
I guess hindsight truly is 20/20. Now I look at my teachers and administrators so differently. I look at the faces of the children differently. I can’t help but think of the victims in Moore. The terror those children must have faced. Many only with their school friends and teachers there to protect them. I am thankful for these particular heroes.
This week has also shown me the immense kindness of Oklahoma citizens. Within an hour of the tornado, local church’s came together bringing truckloads of water, bread, diapers, blankets, pillows, aero beds and clothes. By midnight the building was still buzzing with activity and the deliveries were only slightly wavering. This has been going on now for 3 days! I have even been contacted by friends from as far away as New Jersey who are sending a truck filled with supplies. That is how we roll here in Oklahoma. We pull together. We work side by side helping one another. Never asking for more. Just accepting and knowing that the next time there is a need they will be there.
I would like to ask my friends and followers from outside of Oklahoma to please be inspired. Help others with a happy heart. Reach out to those in need. It should not take tornadoes or hurricanes to show people how much we care. Wishing everyone a blessed Memorial Day!
Caryn