No Matter Your Situation

As I'm laying here in my bed with my usual migraine, my dog cuddled at my feet, looking through pictures of lost animals from the Oklahoma tornado on Facebook, I have nothing but the utmost respect, compassion,empathy, and admiration for these people who have had their lives turned upside down. Growing up in Southern California I had it pretty easy. Not too hot, not too cold, just right. I never lived through a big earth quake or was personally affected by fires. I don't remember the heat from living in Arizona when I was little. Living in Utah while going to massage wasn't too bad either. Yes, I complained about the hot summers (again I'm used to 75/80 being hot) and the snow and cold winters (I was a California girl), but never did I experience a blizzard or any extreme weather. I guess I just took it all for granted how lucky and blessed I really was. Am. 

Tornado's terrify me. I've only ever seen one once. I was around seven or eight. it was during our families usual summer camping trips in Wyoming with my aunt's family before she divorced her ex-husband. A few of us had gone into town  to get a few things, it was stormy and raining. On the way back to the campsite in a field next to the road this small twister touches down. Of course I think we're all going to die, and in my memory it is a lot bigger than it actually was (I was a kid, and an imaginative one at that).  That was my close encounter with a "tornado". 

Seeing the devastation in Oklahoma on the news, entire cities flattened and torn apart, I realize I could never do that. Maybe now because I'm older and I know just what all this means, but I don't know if I could be that strong. Most of these people lost EVERYTHING. They have to start all over. Build a new house, new clothes, new furniture, new everything... Possibly just do it all over again. Now I know those are the important things in life. Family, friends, loved ones, people, life. That's what really matters. However, as I looked around my room this morning I was thinking, "what could I live without?" My clothes, yeah sure, buy new ones. My shoes I'd dearly miss, but again, buy new ones. My books which are a big part of me would be really hard, but again, start over. Movies, again hard (I love movies), but they can be replaced. What I had the hardest time with was photographs, memories, my grandma's ring and the book she would always read to me when I was little. The "things" that have importance and meaning to them. The actual "things" I can't replace. 

I think of my pets, who I love dearly and would heart broken without. And then I think back to the people of Oklahoma. How strong they must be. They don't pack up the things they have left and move. They stay. They stand their ground. They rebuild. Some may say that's foolish, I say it's brave. You cannot let fear define you. Or where you live. 

As the cities in Oklahoma proceed search and rescue efforts, reunite families, loved ones, and pets, get help and treatment, they will be able to clean away the debris, clean the cities, and rebuild. And if they have the help of others they will be able to start to heal. 

I know if I was in their place I would be a horrible mess. My heart and prayers go out to these courageous people.