I've been lucky my whole life not to really be in Mother Nature's Way when she is having a bad day. I grew up in the Piedmont of North Carolina so I was far enough inland and cradled by the Appalachian Mountains not to really have to worry about Hurricanes or severe winters.
But I currently live in Northern Kentucky, and while lots of you may think, "Oh, that's a safe place too", a little over a week ago Mother Nature decided to try to find me.
Thankfully, she didn't quite find where I lived, but instead she took her fury out on several of my neighboring cities. Tornadoes ripped through Crittenden and Piner Kentucky which is only 10 minutes from where I am. And this is only after several tore through Indiana which is almost a stone's throw to the west of where I live.
Many great people lost their houses, animals, hopes, and dreams. But they were the lucky ones compared to the ones who paid the ultimate price with their lives. Here I was thankful that the tornado didn't blow my way and that my sons and I were safe huddled down in our basement. But then as soon as you emerge, you hear of the stories of families that weren't as fortunate.
It is a very empty feeling knowing others were in desperate need and there was much that you could do to help.
I read about an organized help cleanup team and signed up that day. We spent half the day in Crittenden, KY helping one neighborhood try to pick up the pieces of their lives. Some had lost everything, some just the top floor of their house, while others had windows busted out and roofs ripped off.
It is just really sad when you see your neighbors memories and house items strewn out for everyone to see.
We picked up everything from teddy bears to homework papers, to medical records, to jewelry. Not to mention the bigger items such as mattresses, tvs, dressers, etc.
I don't won't to go on and on with all that I saw, but it was a lot.
These pictures I took can speak louder than I can.
If you would like to help give a $10 donation, please Text Redcross to 90999. Or you can call 1-800-redcross if you would like to donate a larger amount.
There are also several donation areas here locally, so if you are interested let me know I can forward some of those as well.
Thank you for all your support in advance.
Be thankful for what God has blessed you with and go hug someone you love today!
