Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Loss…

As some of you may know, I live in Alabama…the beautiful mountainous gorgeous State of Alabama….last Wednesday was the most horrific day this state has ever seen as multiple F4 and F5 tornados ripped across our state…changing the landscape forever….changing our lives forever…

My family was very blessed….the terrible storms were all around us, but we had no damage, no tornados…we didn’t even lose power…so very blessed….many many others were not so fortunate..

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Beginning last week, the weather forecasters had been warning us that this weather was coming…to be prepared…to have a plan in place….one forecaster said there was a 110% chance of severe tornados across the State of Alabama on Wednesday…but you know, we have heard about storms and tornados before and that kind of thing always happens somewhere else…to someone else….

Not this time….

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I was so anxious over the weather….storms and warnings have always made me nervous, but this time was different….the air felt dangerous…it was hot…humid….I said prayers all day long while I was at work….I was just so antsy….the wonderful girls that I work with and I discussed it at lunch…in fact Tina had had some storms pass through her area Wednesday morning and she had no power….she came to the office with wet hair and her hair dryer in her hand….

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We closed our offices early Wednesday and as we were leaving we were all telling each other to “Be Safe”, take cover….be careful….I went home and cooked supper and was just tense….Cameron was at a friend’s house and they didn’t have a basement so I called him and told him to come home….we don’t have a basement either….I was watching the weather on the news and saw the massive monster ripping across Tuscaloosa and then Birmingham which is about 40 miles from me….

That was it….I told my family, “We are OUT of here”…we took our cats and went to some friends who live close to us, only a few houses away, and we got in their basement….and we watched….it was scary…I was hearing the towns Argo, Springville, Hokes Bluff, Ohatchee, Glencoe, Gadsden….take cover!  So terrifying….and we prayed….

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After the threat had passed we went back home and I started calling and checking on all of my loved ones….my sweet precious friend Sharon, whom you have heard me talk about on my blog many times….my partner in shopping crime, was the first one I called….she lives in Ohatchee and I heard a tornado  had “touched down” there….she did not answer her cell, but she did answer her land line and I was SO happy to hear her voice….they were fine…no damage….power out….thank God…I had talked to Janice when I was in Peggi’s basement, so I knew she was fine…Cameron had talked to Malory, she was fine…Debbie was good….but I couldn’t get in touch with Tina….I assumed the power was out, cell phones down, because Tina only lives about a mile from Sharon…..so she must be okay…

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When I got to work the next morning, Debbie said she still had not been able to reach Tina.  We called Tina’s boss and asked her if she had heard from Tina…she said no….Gina sent her husband to Tina’s house to check on them…..the picture above is where Tina’s house used to be….She and her husband were both killed in the tornado….they were huddled in their bathroom with their two dogs when the house took a direct hit….there was nothing left but a concrete slab….we are devastated….

This is Tina and Mike and their son Blake, who was deployed to Afghanistan….he had been gone 9 months and was due home Mother’s Day weekend….I can’t tell you how excited Tina and Mike were!  They were all going to North Carolina to be there when he got off the plane…..he came home a week early because he had lost both of his parents…I cannot even begin to imagine what he is going through….They also had a daughter Jessica, a son-in-law, James and a precious 5 year old granddaughter, Ariel, who was the apple of their eye….Tina was only 49 years old…

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This was a beautiful Godly couple…Mike’s last post to his family as they huddled in their bathtub was…”Angels will protect us or, Angel’s will usher us home”…Heaven is a much brighter place….Tina was beautiful and funny and fun and always laughing….we will miss her so very much….

I will see her again….of that I am sure….but please remember those that are left behind to mourn their loss and to deal with the terrible void that has been left in their lives…..

One of their dogs, “Cuz” who belonged to Blake, survived the storm and has been reunited with the family…

All of the photos above were taken in the county I live in….about 12 miles from my house…my neighborhood….there but by the Grace of God, go I…

Tell those you love….that you love them….often….

50 comments:

  1. Our love and prayers are with all of you~

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  2. Oh LouCinda, I'm in tears. I'm so sorry~ I can't imagine the pain, the loss. Please know you're in my thoughts and prayers...God Bless Tina and Mikes family.

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  3. Oh, Lou Cinda! I am so sorry! My heart is breaking for the devastation and loss that is being suffered in Alabama and elsewhere here in the South. My thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families. So glad you are safe...hugs...Debbie

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  4. Oh girl, I don't even have words. Just tears. I am so very sorry for the loss and devastation. Hugs, blessings, and comfort to all who are grieving.

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  5. Oh my gosh, Lou Cinda! This is so sad; I am so sorry you lost your friend and co-worker. It is crazy how something like this can take someone you just saw the day before. Thank God, you and your family are okay.

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  6. Lou Cinda, I am so deeply sorry. Words can't even begin to express how I feel right now after reading this. Know that my thoughts and prayers are with you and to all who are grieving over this terrible tragedy.

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  7. I am so sorry, my sweet friend. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.

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  8. Lou Cinda, I am so sorry about Tina and Mike. I know exactly how you were feeling up until the time when you found out you had lost good friends. I can even begin to imagine.

    I am so happy to know you and yours are safe. Know that I am thinking and praying for their family and friends through this difficult time.
    Rhonda

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  9. Oh Lou Cinda,
    I am crying as I read this-it's so davastating. My heart goes out to their dear family and to you. I'm praying for all of these people.
    So hard to understand. I am thankful that you and your family is safe.
    God bless you and big hugs,
    Sonya

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  10. I love you so much and am so very, very thankful that you made it through this storm, precious friend. And I am still in tears over this story. Mr. Magpie told me to tell you how sorry he was, too.

    And the other details, about the text, are so poignant. I am supposed to be resting, but I am online to answer a few posts. When I saw this, I had to come over here and tell you again how much I love and appreciate you and how grateful I am that you and your dear ones were spared and how sorry I am that your friends were killed. My heart breaks for their son in particular. I'm just so thankful that his dog was found. They are going to need each other more than ever.

    If anything is a wakeup call, both to live each day and be thankful for our blessings and to be assured of our eternal life, this is it. I give thanks and praise to the Lord that He made it possible for these two precious parents and grandparents to one day be reunited with their family members who are also believers. What a testimony.

    Sending much love to you and all the people of Alabama who are so precious to me.

    XO,

    Sheila

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  11. Oh, I am so sorry about Tina and her husband! The devastation in Alabama was horrible! The night before a tornado lifted up just before it got to our house and we were spared! I have a sick feeling in my stomach every time I see photos of Alabama! So glad you guys are safe! Again so sorry for your friend!
    Theresa
    aka:tot

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  12. Oh Lou Cinda~ I am so sorry to read this and for your loss. Thinking of everyone affected and praying.

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  13. Words fail me right now, Lou Cinda. Just know that you and yours are in my prayers.

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  14. Those storms were horrible and I am so glad they missed you. They missed our area too. They were north and south of us and we barely got any rain. So so sorry to hear about the loss of your friends. That is just so sad!

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  15. Thank you for opening your heart and sharing this story. I am so sorry for the loss of your friend Tina and her husband.

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  16. I am so sorry for your loss. We were spared in Sylacauga too but the damage is just devastating in other areas. My husband is a State Farm Agent and he has been out on Storm Duty, he says words cannot describe this nightmare. Again, my sincere condolences go out to you...Tiffany

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  17. I am so sorry for the loss of your friends. I will keep you all in my prayers.

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  18. Oh Lou Cinda, my heart is breaking. I'm so sorry. I will continue to keep you and your friends in my prayers.

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  19. We are all so very saddened by the devastation and the loss of your precious friends. Praying for you and all those that are going through so very much these days.

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  20. I am so sorry about Tina and her dear husband. I am in tears...this is the first time I have cried over the devastation in Alabama. I have seen countless pictures and heard many stories, but this got to me. Your whole, frightful post. I have been riding a roller coaster of emotions...from the tornadoes in the South...to the royal wedding and then the killing of bin Laden. It's all too much, too many mood swings for me.

    Hang in there sweet friend. Know I will be thinking of you.

    XO,
    Jane

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  21. Oh My Goodness LouCinda. I am so sorry. Please know you are in my prayers. And all Tina's loved ones. Sweet Sweet Hugs to you.
    xoxo Jeanne.

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  22. Oh sweety, your story makes this so real to those of us who live so far away. My prayers are with you and all who have lost.

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  23. Oh Lou Cinda I am so so sorry. I can only imagine how you and her friends and family are feeling such loss. This is one of the saddest stories I have heard or read about these devastating storms. My thoughts and prayers are with you and everyone who is suffering at this time.~ Hugs of comfort, Patti

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  24. So terrible. Sorry for you loss. What a horrible thing to happen. We have had a couple of tornadoes in the last few years close to us but not in our town. I am so scared when ever they say we are under a tornado warning. Such a a sad time for many people. Prayer are with you and all who have been lost. Hugs

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  25. This just makes me heartsick. I'm so very sorry for the loss of your friend and her husband. When you put faces to the numbers, it really is an eye opener. But this is such a personal story, it saddens me so much. I will pray for you, all of her friends and especially her family. May God bring you peace and comfort you all.

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  26. I am so heartbroken for your loss and for the children and grandchildren of your dear friends - For all who were affected throughout the southeast. I live in south Alabama and grew up in Mississippi. I am just so saddened by what has happened. Please know that so many are praying without ceasing for everyone who lost so much.

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  27. Lou Cinda, I'm relieved to hear that you are all right. The devastation this weather has caused is horrendous. I'm very sorry to hear that your friend and her husband lost their lives in this storm. Sending you good thoughts and prayers. xo Sue

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  28. Lou Cinda,
    I'm sure this was a very difficult post to write. I saw all of the terrible images on TV and prayed for everyone in the path of that terrible storm. I am so sorry to read about your friend and her husband....so very, very sad.
    My thoughts and prayers to you and your family and to all those affected by this day of destruction. God Bless.
    Jane

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  29. Oh my gosh LouCinda... I am soooo sorry. This is one of the times I so wish I knew what I could say. I've heard so much about the storms and loss in the south... and, I've complained about our rainy weather. I feel so guilty now... I'm so grateful to read that they knew God.... and so sad for their son. My heart is just breaking for him.. And, for you dear one. I pray these storms will end and that everyone will be safe. Please know I'm sending you a huge hug..... I wish I was there so I could really give you one.... I'm just soooo sorry.

    xoxoxoxo
    Spencer

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  30. Dropping back by for another hug. I'm really thinking of you as the reality of this loss sets in and thought of you all day yesterday as you attended the funeral. I have cried and cried as if I know this family, and I guess in a sense, we who love the Lord are all connected. And even if they hadn't known Him, I would still be so upset for what they've all experienced. It's just heartbreaking, but that ray of hope is what is going to see them through, thanks to Jesus!

    Back to bed to rest...

    XO,

    Sheila :-)

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  31. LouCinda....this was an unbelievably touching story and there is a huge lump in my throat. I feel SO bad for that family and the ones left behind to deal with the grief. I really can't imagine how horrible the whole ordeal was. Really glad you and your family remained safe.

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  32. LouCinda I was so relieved to read that you all were OK, but I'm heartbroken and crying about the loss of your friends. Nobody knows when their day will come. I just wish their son had been able to see them one last time. Mother Nature has been on a rampage! I've never seen it this bad in all my life.
    I know they're in a much better place but it doesn't remove the need to have them here now. I'm just so sorry. (((HUGS))) Vanna

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  33. I am so sorry to hear you lost such a lovely friend and her husband. What a terrible thing this storm was. I will be in prayer for you and your family.

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  34. I don't know how I missed this before. I am so sorry for your's and their family's loss. Marty's sister lives in Ohatchee and we couldn't get in touch with them that night for a long time, but fortunately they were OK. I've driving through the same roads you have pictures of and it's just unreal the devastation. It still feels like a bad dream.

    Glad you are OK my friend!

    {{{{HUGS}}}}

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  35. Thinking of you today! (((hugs))

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  36. Just checking in to see how you are doing, Lou Cinda. It's been a couple of weeks since your last post and I wanted to make sure you are okay.

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  37. Oh my gosh I don;t even know what to say...we watched CNN during the storms and our hearts went out to those poor people but your sad story really makes it real...I am so sorry. I am glad you are safe..and our thoughts are with that poor family,much love to you,Chrissy

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  38. I have thought about you and thought about you and thought about you. And watching these other tornadoes in Joplin and now Oklahoma City has really driven it home again.

    I'm still recuperating from that old injury which has kicked up agai, but I wanted to thank you for your sweet comments. I appreciate them and you more than you know. You're such a good egg, my friend, and I love you so...

    XO,

    Sheila

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  39. Wow, those tornadoes are very scary! Glad that you are safe. Thanks for visiting and your very nice comments!

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  40. I am so very sorry to hear this. Just devastating. Thoughts and prayers are with you all.

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  41. Lou Cinda - I'm worried about you. I'm sure right now blogging is the last thing on your mind. I just wanted to stop in and tell you that you are on my mind and in my prayers.
    Rhonda

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  42. Hey Lou Cinda,
    Just wanted to pop in again and let you know that I have a prayer filled heart for you and all those suffering from this terrible tornado season.
    I pray you're finding comfort and solace. It bears saying that we all have to much to be thankful for no matter what our circumstances may be.
    Lord bless!
    Donna

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  43. Are you ok girl? I've been thinking about you since the loss of you friend, hoping that you are ok! Drop me an e-mail and let me know how you are!
    Tot

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  44. Lou Cinda, how terrible, oh my heart aches for you....so sorry, what a tragedy! Seeing all that devastation on the news made me wonder what was happening to everyone....the fires, the storms, this is awful! I pray for your safety and healing for all of those left to pick up the pieces...
    Love and big hugs!
    Hugs,
    Margaret B

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  45. Lou Cinda,
    I'm so sorry to hear about the loss of your dear friends...they sounded like wonderful people and I know you must miss them a lot. I am happy to hear that you all made it thru okay.

    Blessings,
    Linda

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  46. Oh my gosh, I am so sorry. So sorry. I live in Oklahoma and have seen it happen so many times. I've never had a dear friend hit though. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

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  47. Oh sweetie, I'm so sorry to read about your loss. I apologize for not getting here sooner. I cannot imagine how you all must feel. My thoughts and prayers are with you all of you and the precious friends and their families... hugs and hugs ~lynne~

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  48. Lou Cinda, I am so far behind in reading my favorite blogs and I apologize for being so late reading about this tragedy. I am so sorry about the loss of your friends. My thoughts and prayers are with Tina and Mikes family.
    xo,
    Sherry

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  49. I feel so bad for the people effected by this tornado. I hope they can get their life's back.

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