Michiko Osaka has been displaced by the tornadoes that recently struck the southland; but she is otherwise okay.
Image (c) 2005, Karla Dorman.
Sat., Feb. 8, 2008~
Michiko Osaka here.
I'm afraid I'm not doing very well. I am staying in a shelter for displaced storm victims. Seems my home was damaged by a tornado last Tuesday night (the fifth). Heavy damage, home will need weeks to repair.
My mind (emotions) are on heightened alert. This is the second tornado I've been in, only this time it was my home that got hurt instead of me.
I don't know if this is better because it was a tornado that caused me to lose my sight (glass flew into my eyes). I still have flashbacks; am now experiencing them all over again. A neverending nightmare!
I'm terrified to go to sleep, for fear I'll get snatched away by tornadic winds just waiting to take me down.
My seeing-eye dog won't leave my side for a second. If anyone tries to talk to me, he snaps at them. I am scared he is going to bite someone. So far he hasn't, much to my relief. He's gotten extremely foul-tempered, which is the worst thing an assistance dog can be.
Over fifty people died in Tuesday's storms. Several rounds of very severe storms crossed our area; many of these storms were tornadic and had hurricane-force winds.
It was really bad here, very terrifying!
This is the first time I've been able to write; had to borrow somebody's laptop to type this; mine was destroyed when my house got damaged.
I was lucky I got out with my life. I was lucky I didn't get hurt! I consider it a miracle!
I don't know when I will write again; I will be busy trying to get my personal affairs in order as I figure out what to do next. I only have the clothes on my back--oh, yes, and my dog--; and less than $30 on me. I had bills to pay; am nearly broke. Now I have no home to go to until the repairs are completed.
Very depressing. Keep me in your prayers; I can really use them!
Watching storm results from the frigid north the news reports seem unreal. After spending 25 years as a winter resident of Florida we personally know how quickly things can change when storms approach. It will probably be something the north will have to deal with more frequently during the summer months due to climate change. Your accounts of the storms bring readers the reality of what actually happened and can happen during the formerly rare winter tornadoes.
A timely write Karen.. You have a way of taking the reader there and sharing whta the write goes through.. Tornanados are terrible! The worst is ,, there is noting we can do to stop them ...I fear they'll get worse , as global warming changes earth. .......M
A touching write my friend, it seems that each time I turn the television on it is more storm damage, another life lost, or the discovery of a victim...days ago it was an eleven month old baby, but a miracle indeed, the young mother was found dead, but the baby by the grace of God had survived...it was found in a field beyond where the house had once stood...seems as though God is trying to get people's attention, letting them know that He is still in control. It's been a rough week here in the mountains...but I count my blessings that the storm bypassed our community by thirty miles. Now confirmed that twenty two tornadoes touched down in Ky. Tuesday night! It's been a week....enjoyed the write my friend heartfelt indeed!
Blessings,
Joyce B.
Explore the mystery of how nature makes unexpected gifts of creative wonders to an unsuspecting caregiver one late night and early morning in southeastern Georgia, USA.
A book of nature inspired poems and essays, written from the heart and soul of a life-long nature, animal, and wilderness lover, and dedicated to today’s children - Earth's only hope for a better tomorrow.
This book won 'The Poetry Category'
