I have been watching the news from Evansville, IN. with a feeling of definite sickness. I mean, as I write this, it's only been two and a half weeks since I was
there. (You can read about that time by going here.) I know people who live and work in Newburgh, who lived in Degonia Springs. I drove past what what used
to be Ellis Park a few times; it was just at the border near the Ohio River. (In fact, I lived about three miles from there for five years.)
While I am deeply saddened by the events there (and if you live there and haven't gotten a hold of me--or me you--call me, okay? You have my number!) I am
also amazed at the fortuitous timing I was blessed with. A few weeks in either direction, and I would have been in a hotel that was within a third of a mile or
closer to the path of the twister. That thought makes me want to puddle my panties. Particularly since I don't move really quick at that time of the morning
unless I stayed up to party or dance. (And even then, at that time of the morning, I may be in bed...but that's another story.)
I've seen the path the twister took, and the pictures from back there. Not that there is ever a good time for a tornado to come through, but 2 AM is really bad;
people were asleep and never heard the sirens. Or if they did, it was simply too late.
Many of my friends have been in contact with me. (Not all, but many.) And while the destruction is not on the scale of a Dennis, Katrina, Rita or Wilma, it's
still pretty bad for the area. The closest real interstate is I-64, about ten miles out of town. The I-164--near the mobile home park that was decimated--is little
more than an alternate route around Evansville. It's designed to keep folks off of US 41, right in the middle of town.
Not that would have mattered. You just can't outrun an F-3 tornado, luvs. Don't even try it.
The twister came awfully close to my place of employment. I talked to the boss last night, and and he and the school are okay. My coworkers are all okay
as well. My family was glad to know I and my SO were safely ensconced back out in Oregon...especially when I explained to them how close that might
have been to us at any given point.
I have heard it said that we are all just one heartbeat away from eternity. I always thought that was designed to keep people in a state of unhealthy fear.
I now understand what that is saying to the average Jane. Life really is fleeting, and there isn't always a tomorrow for some folks. Eventually, my number
(and yours) will get called on and that will be that. It may not be a hurricane, tornado or even a heart attack. It could be something as simple as walking
across the street, and someone not seeing you.
Sadly, I didn't get to see everyone I wanted to while I was back there; time simply ran out on me this trip. I am hoping to hear from those I haven't and soon.
I called one family that we had been close to and sorta drifted away from about two or three years back. It was great to hear that they were okay, but making
that call has gotten me to thinking about those of us in the whole TG/TS life.
Dear ones, let's do one thing right. Keep your friendships up and your family close, whether TG/TS or not. Keep short accounts and shorter records.
Because it is times like this that make one realize how precious those people are to you.
