Close to Home

I told my dad tonight that he is either too stubborn to die or God has great plans for him. Because not only has he used about 8 lives in his 82 years, he used up the 9th one tonight when he and mom survived a tornado.

Details are sketchy but their neighbor across the lake witnessed the funnel cloud dip in the lake and hit our property and house -- taking down 13+ pine trees that have lined our driveway forever, the huge "lone spruce" out front and part of their roof. They, thank God, are OK.

They knew about the warnings from the 6 o'clock news but didn't think it looked that bad out. Of course, they are out in the sticks where there is no siren to sound either. They felt the wind and Mom heard the roar as she was closing up windows and trying to close a door. That's my mom, trying to close a door against a tornado while the mirror and other wall hangings in the hallway are getting blown around!

When she saw the domino of trees falling, they headed to the basement. By the time they got to the landing (4 steps down), she said it was already over. Somehow, thank God again, they survived unscathed.

The big challenges are the roof leaking over their bed tonight , the trees blocking the driveway and the big Lone Spruce that fell on the power line out front. They have no electricity but thanks to their Amish/backwoods ways, I got through to them on their old-school rotary phone!

We're heading up in the morning to do what we can to help. I can't wield a chainsaw but I can do something that a 78- and 82-year-old should not be doing! Hopefully the electricity will be back on so they don't lose everything in the fridge. But if not, who cares? Food can be replaced.

My parents can't.

(Prayers appreciated. Thanks!)