Perspective

I spent Monday and Tuesday night glued to the computer monitor, watching the red and green streaks on the radar as severe thunderstorms brought tornadoes across the state.  Once upon a time, I wouldn't have given it a moment's attention, but since having kids, I am much more aware of things like that.  For the first time ever, I had to actually corral the kids in the bathroom as a precaution.  Nothing came all that close to us, personally, but I spent quite a while obsessively watching facebook updates and calling family because the names of their towns were repeatedly called out by the meteorologists.  I didn't lose anyone and none of them lost anything. 

Last night, I was very relieved that it wasn't going to be a repeat and was glad to be able to go to bed and not worry about trying to rouse the kids to throw them in the bathroom.  In a way, I feel a little bit of guilt about my relief since other states saw far worse weather than what we had here earlier in the week.  Hundreds of lives lost and unfathomable destruction. 

One of the hardest hit areas in my state from Monday night was a town called Vilonia.  My cousin lives there.  First thing on Tuesday morning, she was offering her home to others to shower or get a cup of coffee or just charge their phone because she was fortunate enough to have her home in one piece and all her utilities still in service.  I've seen her posts the past two days, trying to organize people to volunteer and donate some of the most basic of supplies for people who have nothing now.  It's heartbreaking, some of the stories that I've heard... but at the same time heart-warming to see people devote themselves and their own resources to help others.

I felt quite whiny earlier in the week.  Feeling frustrated that my house is a mess and I don't want to go to work.  Feeling like I live in a bubble with no friends.  Feeling like my kids were going to drive me to the nut house.  But today I just feel fortunate and lucky.  I have a house and job, I had all sorts of people checking on me and the girls when it was storming.  And today I just sat in the swing outside and watched my kids play.

A bandaid... just in case it bleeds 

My child knows how to do The Robot...

Mismatched flip flops and a too-big hat

What I would give to get inside that head.

I don't deserve the charmed life I lead, especially since I take it all for granted so often, but I am truly grateful.