What To Take To The Closet

Last Thursday, February 6th, 2020, is a day that many in our community will always remember. For several days, the weathermen had been forecasting storms with heavy rain and wind. The chance of tornadoes was there, but I did not think about it too much.

At around noon, our bank went on lock down for the possibilities of a tornado hitting Albemarle and the surrounding areas. I immediately started making contact with family members and neighbors to see how things were in our little community. It was interesting to say the least. I spoke with my cousin and asked how things were and she said it was dark, but everything was ok. That did not last long. After a few moments I received a call from her only to hear sheer panic and fear in her voice. She had had to take her dog and take shelter in a closet in the center of the house. She said the trees were falling and it felt like the roof was being lifted from their house. I was scared!

When it was all over, our little community of Millingport became what looked like a war zone. Trees were toppled. Houses lost roofs, a church lost its steeple, cars were crushed and there was debris everywhere. The power was out which means those of us on a well have no water. People who left their homes that morning, came home to find themselves homeless.

JW and I are still amazed that our sweet little Five Story House was spared. We do not know how, but we know why. God protected us.

After a weekend of JW helping our family members start the cleaning process, we finally took a moment to reflect on all of it, or what we could comprehend of it. We talked about where in our house we would go and what we would take to the closet.

Our thoughts were immediately of our precious pups including MacBeth’s ashes. She will always be with us. I would do everything in my power to somehow get Buford, my bunny, in his box in there. That would not be too hard. As we started talking about it, even with all of the pictures, artwork, and keepsakes, nothing else would matter. The rest are earthly possessions. Would we be sad to lose the sentimental things? Absolutely! What really would matter is us, safe.

So, we are wondering. What would you take to the closet? Now is the right time to consider this. Tornadoes can come in an instant. Make a plan!