http://www.hamptonroads.tv/index.cfm?locvid=139644&tid=r700
My husband says I am too emotional. He reminded me of this again tonight when I told him that I cried my eyes out watching news coverage of the tornado destruction in Suffolk, VA. And really, since no one died, it might seem over-emotional to some people.
But I love it there and that place was wrecked! By tornadoes, in a place where tornadoes are not supposed to hit. Our very dear friend Setsuko's neighborhood, Hillpoint Farms, was one of those badly damaged. Her home was left unmarked, but she said over six houses in the neighborhood are now gone, leaving only their foundations. There was picture after picture on the news of neighborhoods in ruin and it was so frustrating not being able to tell where they were or if I knew anyone there. But there was one picture that looked familiar and soon the name clicked and I realized that I was looking at the wreckage of an antique shop that was a few miles from my old house, in a little place called Driver. I loved that place. I took my mom antiquing there once while she was visiting. There were a few other little shops along the same road. It was so quaint and charming. You would have been driving down a long country road to get there and then after a few fields and homes these shops appeared - it felt as if you stepped back in time. Very small-town. Follow the above link to video footage - click on the one that says "Picking Up the Pieces"
And now...here is where I tear up again. I don't know what to say and I just wish I could help. There is a Suffolk chapter of the Red Cross where we can donate money; I wish I was there to do more. I am just so grateful that more damage was not done and that most people escaped unhurt. My heart goes out to those whose homes were lost - they are in my thoughts and prayers.
3 comments:
Wow, I hadn't looked at a map of Virginia until I read your post. I didn't realize how close they were to where you lived. Everyone's in my prayers as well.
Sweetie, I'm so sorry! That's really hard to hear about regardless, when it's that "close", it makes you feel very vulnerable and of course one's heart does ache for those caught in the storm. Love you.
Ern: Yeah, it's kind of crazy to think about. Even though we lived in Chesapeake, we were right on the edge of Suffolk. And Driver! Sheesh, that was a quick drive down the road. It's so surreal.
Sis: Thanks, it is hard. You know how much I loved it there. Do you remember when you were out and we went looking for that old church Aaron told us about? We were about two minutes away from that antique store then. Hard to believe. Love you, too.
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