I tried to return to my normal life today, but that life is long gone. I did go to work and drive home and let the dogs out. But nothing is normal now. Those things that I were able to do were gifts because I still have a car and a house. A EF-5 tornado, like the one on May 20th, 2013 that hit Moore, OK, will do that to you when you are directly affected by it. No, I didn't have damage. I did have to hunker in my closet with dogs not knowing if it was heading my way or not. My dad was able to get through to me and let me know it had stayed south and I could come out. I did come out and went outside and it was still there. I was looking right at it...only I couldn't tell it was a funnel. All I could see was what appeared to be a red dirt cloud. Then, I saw sheet metal flying and knew I was looking right at it. It was at that point that I realized that three sets of family member either had direct hits or lots of damage. Eric, his uncle, Timmy, and I raced towards his aunt's house first. She has a home daycare and we weren't sure how many kids might have been there that day. We didn't get far. The power lines stopped us in the car but Eric got out and went running up the street. At this point, Timmy and I tried to get to my cousin's house. I couldn't get texts through to her and I knew she was probably at home with both of her kids. We tried three different ways to get through but couldn't. Too many other people trying the same thing, but most of them were trying to get to Plaza Towers to find their kids. Eric did make it to his aunt's house. She wasn't there and we later found out she was safe. And, we finally heard that my cousin and her kids were safe but their house had sustained a direct blow and they were in it. Thank you to the people who got them to safety in Norman. We also couldn't get to my brother's house because of all of the damage, but he was at work so we at least knew he was safe. It took him hours to get to my house and Eric and he had to walk the two miles to his house just to get him some clothes. They came back with pictures of windows blown out and 2x6's thrown into the back of the house. By this time, word had come out that children had died in that school. It breaks my heart.
They just started letting people back into their neighborhoods today. One of the news stations turned their parking lot into a donation center. They quickly had 6 semi's full of water and food along with monetary donations. Posts started popping up on Facebook about where to donate, how to help, stories of trying to reunite pets with their families, people rescuing their neighbors. Interviews with survivors who said we will rebuild because this is our home. Insurance companies out with their mobile command centers to help their customers begin to rebuild. It will take time but this city will rebuild just like it did in 1999.
My life will never return to "normal." I wasn't directly affected, but, then again, I am an Okie and a Moore citizen, so I was. I was affected because my dear family was affected. I was affected because my fellow Mooreites were affected. I was affected because my state is hurting from two days of two deadly tornadoes. And, I am proud to be an Okie and a Moore citizen. We might have been knocked down but we will pick each other back up. We will look at our neighbor's and say let's try this again. We will help each other and love each other and be there for each other. The volunteers will line the street for miles just to help clean up a cemetery because they were asked too. In the coming weeks, more donations will pour in, more volunteers will come here, and more neighbors will take their shovel and help someone who also lost their homes sift through the debris. There will be amazing stories of angels and crosses unbroken when everything else was shattered. And, Oklahoma, and especially Moore, will keep marching on. There is no other way we would do it...or want it.
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Thursday, May 9, 2013
Time to Say Thank You
May 11th, 2013 will always be etched in my heart and mind as the day I crossed the stage to receive my Bachelor's Degree. I could have never gotten here on my own and now it is time to do some thanking. So here goes:
(This may sound like an award acceptance speech...Ha!)
First, I thank God. Without Him, I wouldn't have done anything. He has truly blessed me as you will see in this post of thanks!
Next, I thank my husband, Eric. He had to pick up so much slack while I was at school, doing homework or studying/stressing. The laundry, the dishes, taking care of the dogs, the lawn (who am I kidding...I don't help with the lawn anyway!), basically everything was done by him. I still took care of the finances, but he did almost everything else. Sometimes I had to ask and sometimes he didn't do things quite the way I would have, but nevertheless, I am thankful for what he did. He was also extremely supportive and helped to make sure I had a quiet place to study and making sure I did my homework. So, Eric, my love, thank you.
And of course I have to thank my parents. They both were so supportive, but my mom is the one I could call when frustrated and she could talk me through it (or at least make me feel better!) And she was usually the first one I called when I got my test grades and they were better than I thought they would be (like Every.Single.Time!) She would tell me how proud she was of me that I kept on truckin' (one of her favorite phrases.) So many times I wanted to quit because it was too much but she told me I could do it and so I did! And, of course, my dad would also hear all about my test grades and he would tell me good job. There is something about hearing good job from your mommy and daddy even in your thirties! So, Mom and Dad, thank you.
I could never forget all of my other relatives who have been so supportive. Grandma and Grandpa Jorgensen, Grandma and Pap Eisler, Uncle Mark and Aunt Lauretta, Uncle Dave and Aunt Denise, Uncle Nick and Aunt Sherry, Uncle David and Aunt Mary, all of my cousins (Stacy, Craig, Jason, Kim, Tiffany, Brent, Jessica, Eric, Kelly and Delana), Eric's family (adding all of you would be a whole other blog post but you know who you are and I am so grateful), my brother and sisters, my other parents Darwin and Linda, and so many other relatives. I am truly blessed to have all of you in my life!
Next, I must think my friends. My favorite Amiga, Maria, who has been there through thick and thin with me in the last 3 years. She is the very definition of a true friend. To Hayley, who I don't get to see as often as I would like, but I know she has been supporting me and thinking about me. To Angie, who I am also lucky enough to call my sister-in-law, who is such a strong, inspirational woman and loves me for me (I am pretty sure she knows I am crazy!) And to my new friend, Randi - I am so glad we have met and I am excited to get to know you better! :-)
I also made some new friends through being a part of the Human Resource Society at UCO and in my classes. I am not sure I would have made it this last semester without their friendship. This includes Summer, Sara, Shelby, David, Kelsey, Chris, Laura, Ashley, Shirley, Amanda and probably some I forgot (but hey I just took two finals and it's almost 11 at night...please forgive me!) And I want to thank all of my professors. I have learned so much from all of you...not just about school subjects, but about life.
And my coworkers and boss who have been so supportive and understanding. Working for a higher education agency everyone truly believes in the value of higher education and I have been able to talk to so many of them about my elation and trials with school. Special note to my boss, Dr. Cindy Brown, who has been one of my biggest cheerleaders and also Matt and Lisa who have celebrated all of my triumphs with me! And thank you Adrienne and Sheila for letting me come into your offices to complain about professors or assignments and not thinking that I am a loony toon! Lol!
And last, but certainly not least, thank you to my church family. All of you have been with me on this journey and without your prayers and support I might have had a harder time. I love the sense of family I have every time I walk into our church and it wouldn't be that way if not for each and every one of you. Thank you for welcoming Eric and I into your loving arms 5 years ago!
(This may sound like an award acceptance speech...Ha!)
First, I thank God. Without Him, I wouldn't have done anything. He has truly blessed me as you will see in this post of thanks!
Next, I thank my husband, Eric. He had to pick up so much slack while I was at school, doing homework or studying/stressing. The laundry, the dishes, taking care of the dogs, the lawn (who am I kidding...I don't help with the lawn anyway!), basically everything was done by him. I still took care of the finances, but he did almost everything else. Sometimes I had to ask and sometimes he didn't do things quite the way I would have, but nevertheless, I am thankful for what he did. He was also extremely supportive and helped to make sure I had a quiet place to study and making sure I did my homework. So, Eric, my love, thank you.
And of course I have to thank my parents. They both were so supportive, but my mom is the one I could call when frustrated and she could talk me through it (or at least make me feel better!) And she was usually the first one I called when I got my test grades and they were better than I thought they would be (like Every.Single.Time!) She would tell me how proud she was of me that I kept on truckin' (one of her favorite phrases.) So many times I wanted to quit because it was too much but she told me I could do it and so I did! And, of course, my dad would also hear all about my test grades and he would tell me good job. There is something about hearing good job from your mommy and daddy even in your thirties! So, Mom and Dad, thank you.
I could never forget all of my other relatives who have been so supportive. Grandma and Grandpa Jorgensen, Grandma and Pap Eisler, Uncle Mark and Aunt Lauretta, Uncle Dave and Aunt Denise, Uncle Nick and Aunt Sherry, Uncle David and Aunt Mary, all of my cousins (Stacy, Craig, Jason, Kim, Tiffany, Brent, Jessica, Eric, Kelly and Delana), Eric's family (adding all of you would be a whole other blog post but you know who you are and I am so grateful), my brother and sisters, my other parents Darwin and Linda, and so many other relatives. I am truly blessed to have all of you in my life!
Next, I must think my friends. My favorite Amiga, Maria, who has been there through thick and thin with me in the last 3 years. She is the very definition of a true friend. To Hayley, who I don't get to see as often as I would like, but I know she has been supporting me and thinking about me. To Angie, who I am also lucky enough to call my sister-in-law, who is such a strong, inspirational woman and loves me for me (I am pretty sure she knows I am crazy!) And to my new friend, Randi - I am so glad we have met and I am excited to get to know you better! :-)
I also made some new friends through being a part of the Human Resource Society at UCO and in my classes. I am not sure I would have made it this last semester without their friendship. This includes Summer, Sara, Shelby, David, Kelsey, Chris, Laura, Ashley, Shirley, Amanda and probably some I forgot (but hey I just took two finals and it's almost 11 at night...please forgive me!) And I want to thank all of my professors. I have learned so much from all of you...not just about school subjects, but about life.
And my coworkers and boss who have been so supportive and understanding. Working for a higher education agency everyone truly believes in the value of higher education and I have been able to talk to so many of them about my elation and trials with school. Special note to my boss, Dr. Cindy Brown, who has been one of my biggest cheerleaders and also Matt and Lisa who have celebrated all of my triumphs with me! And thank you Adrienne and Sheila for letting me come into your offices to complain about professors or assignments and not thinking that I am a loony toon! Lol!
And last, but certainly not least, thank you to my church family. All of you have been with me on this journey and without your prayers and support I might have had a harder time. I love the sense of family I have every time I walk into our church and it wouldn't be that way if not for each and every one of you. Thank you for welcoming Eric and I into your loving arms 5 years ago!
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