I know that I have been MIA, but life has been a bit over the top lately. Work got busy, school was overwhelming and then something happend that changed my prespective about everything. A tornado... that word will never mean the samething to me ever. April 27th was a day that I will remember forever I know how cliche that is), but it's true. Off from work early due to bad weather, I watched the storms hit all around us, praying for the people who were in it's path. But then it got really close to home, hitting my beloved Tuscaloosa, a placed that I called home for the four most important years of my life (college). It was the biggest storm I've ever seen, and I watched it tear through my favorite places: Krispy Creme, the mall I went to every week, my favorite dinerr... I could go on. I was so sad as I sat watching, worried again for all of the people in it's path.
Then things changed and the tornado changed course and it headed towards my city, towards my hometown. My friends, my family, my everything. The power cut off and then we had no idea where the storm was, but before long we knew exactely where it was. The sound, was like that of a jumbo jet or freight train right in your ears. The clouds were dark and low hanging, and then there was a long moment of peace. Everything stood still, and we thought it was over. It was only just begining. The funny thing about a tornado is that they are totally random. You don't know where they drop down, what they have destroyed and who they have hurt. When we went to explore our neighborhood we discoverd the utter destruction it left behind only a few feet away from me. Part of my family lay in that neighborhood and the worry that came with wondering if they were okay is one that I don't care to feel again. Once we found out they were in fact alive and well we all begain to breathe again.
In the days after the tornado, whatching my home state come together has been amazingat, 238 people were killed that day. Hearing peoples stories, trying to find something to smile about, helping people pick up the pieces has been a part of everyone's life. Everything around me has changed, the scenes of loss and destruction have clouded my everyday vision. The hardest part is that things that were there aren't there anymore, my everyday sights have changed so severely. I don't know how long it will take to heal from this, I don't know if we will ever heal. But hopefully we will heal. For me all of this has been a reminder that in the blink of an eye, life can change. In the blink of an eye it can all be gone. Be happy everyone, tell someone you love them and do what makes you happy.
xoxo
Jeniese
