It does not matter where we roam, there is usually only one place which truly feels like home.
I believe that people are genuinely good and decent. I am a sucker and I guess somewhat naive and romantic like that. But, when Kevin and I went to Joplin, MO to volunteer on Memorial Day weekend we experienced just that, the outstanding good nature and resiliance of people. The devistation in Joplin truly is unbelievable and heart wrenching. As we made our way through town to Mt. Hope Christian Church, where we were volunteering, you often could not tell what was a business or what was a home. Everything was leveled, debris was scattered, power lines were twisted into 100 year old trees which had been uprooted in an area of nearly 7 miles in length, caused by an F5 tornado that was a mile and a half wide. The only thing close that I could possibly compare the destruction to is a war zone.
Once we arrived at Mt. Hope, we were quickly overwhelmed with a feeling of awe when we saw all those who were there to help. At least a hundred cars filled the parking lot, and so many items had been donated that they had to begin moving the items to an off site storage facility. Volunteers continued to show up all day long. Some came in convoys of Silverados and F-150s loaded down with young men and chainsaws. With their hands already in work gloves, the only questions they had were, "Where do you wants us?" or "How can we help? There's 16 of us with 16 chainsaws." The size of these men's hearts was truly immeasurable. Shortly after 9:00 a.m., tornado victims began showing up. Mt. Hope was giving out supplies to those in need. And, most often, the first words out of these victims mouths were, "I really hate to ask for help." They were also very willing to share their horror stories of what they experienced during the tornado. There was a woman who made it out alive of her 2 story duplex by hiding in the utility closet, lying on top of the washer and dryer with her husband lying on top of her holding on to the hot water heater. The 3 walls around them and 6 of the steps up to the second floor, which is where she found her two small dogs, were the only things left standing. She found her car later in the evening in a park nearly 4 blocks away. Then there was the 17 year old boy, who had no parents. He lives in an apartment on his own, still attends high school, and works as a delivery driver for Dominos. He was inside the Dominos when it was leveled and his car was ruined. The only items that he came in to ask for at Mt. Hope was food and water since he no longer had a job or transportation. The very last person I assisted was a woman I had been working with all day. Her rental home was demolished and she was there as a volunteer. I asked all of these people if they would be leaving Joplin to start over, or find a place to stay since options are somewhat limited for them there; they all said no because Joplin was their home.
After a physically and emotionally exhausting day, Kevin and I came home forever changed. Because you see, we would also need help in a disaster like that. We own our home, thus we have homeowners insurance, but what we would do in the meantime? Where would we go? Would we respond as eloquently and thankful just for being alive as those inspiring victims we met in Joplin? I sure hope so. I think that our short 12 hours in Joplin made us appreciate each other and the home where our hearts are significantly more.
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