The funerals have begun as Oklahomans grieve the latest edition of Mother Nature’s wrath upon the town of Moore. About ten miles south of Oklahoma City, on the way to Norman for south-bound travelers, the residents seem to dwell at the epicenter of Tornado Alley. An expert says of the area, “Welcome to the sweet spot of severe thunderstorms.”
When it comes to presidential declarations of disaster, in the last 60 years, Oklahoma is third behind only California and Texas. Much bigger states in terms of population and land mass. The 1999 twister in Moore was actually worse in terms of deaths, destruction and area. Adversity for sure.
The road ahead will not be easy for a community that continues to bury loved ones far too young to perish. The road ahead will not be easy for a community that wonders, “Could we become better at respecting the power of nature?” as the aftermath chatter becomes national debate. The road ahead will not be easy for a community that prays for one another to muster courage and resolve to build again.
If history is any indication, Moore, Oklahoma will bounce back and become better from the challenge. It just seems that’s the way Oklahomans operate. At least the one’s I know well. Most of the folks I’ve ever met from the land of the Sooners are quality folks. They seem to have a “can-do” spirit about them. Admirable.
One of my best sportscasting buddies is Bob Barry, Jr., long-time sports anchor at KFOR-TV, the NBC-affiliate in Oklahoma City. We’ve know each other for ever, mainly through covering University of Colorado athletic events against either Oklahoma or Oklahoma State. Good man, been at the station more than 30 years. We’ve covered many sporting events together.
He was on our radio show, Afternoon Drive with Mac and Goodman, the other day talking about the tragedy. We touched on many topics, including what the situation was at the time on the ground. Barry also reminded folks that, right now, the best thing, in terms of helping, is sending cash donations to the American Red Cross.
“The people of Oklahoma have been through a lot of late with the Murrah bombing, the 1999 twister and now this,” said the affable Barry during our chat. “But the resolve of that community and this state will get us through the storm.” Well said.
My mind wanders to thoughts of those who perished. Their families. Those injured. Their families. First responders. Their families. Life will never be the same. It has changed dramatically from this experience. The question becomes, “What will that change look like?”
From the entire team at Victory, thoughts and prayers are with the afflicted. The road ahead will not be easy as the community, again, begins the process of healing physically, emotionally and financially.
Video from inside a teacher’s classroom during the tornado’s destructive stroll through her school, still burns brightly in my brain. I grow up in the MIdwest. Experienced many “tornado warning and watch” moments as a child. They scared me. I have heard numerous times the “It sounds like a freight train” description of when a tornado roars through someone’s world.
I finally experienced it first-hand in watching continuing coverage of a furious twister demolishing everything in its path on a 17-mile rip through the red-tinted soil of America’s 46th state. I experience that “freight train” sound from television. From video capturing the horror inside a teacher’s classroom.
It’s pitch black. You can’t see a thing. You hear plenty. Screams of terrified children. Mother Nature’s roar. Finally, a constant voice heard above the din: The teacher imploring the kids to hang in there. “It’s Almost over! It’s almost over! It’s almost over!”
If this brave and courageous soul said it once, she said it 20 times. “It’s almost over!”
Finally, it was. All were safe. At least physically. The emotional scars, to be determined.
The confident exhortation, despite the peril present, of a teacher to a room full of freaked-out kids. It was inspiring to experience. Talk about cool under pressure. Wow. I want her on my team when there’s only one way out of the fray.
What about us? Where might it be time in our lives to hang in there with all the courage and resolve we’re able to muster from our marrow? Recently, darling fiancee and I rejoiced at a celebration dinner for a dear friend who, once again, whipped breast cancer. She passed through the “almost over” phase and emerged vibrant, beautiful and blessed.
We just never know when life is going to blow through and scatter debris for miles. The catastrophes arrive from different destinations. This week, let’s try like heck to remember the encouraging words of a woman who helped a bunch of frazzled elementary-school kids ride the storm out.
We mourn for those who died. We send well-wishes to those recovering. We salute those who, when called to action, performed admirably.
We encourage others, folks like you and me, perhaps, to find hope from this incredible teacher’s words. If the storms are howling, find the strength to believe what ails is almost over too.
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