Aftermath

On my way home from Missouri I had Howie take a few pictures on our usual route. A few days later I went on a little walking tour of the hardest hit neighborhoods nearest me. Briarwood Elementary, which is completely gone is less than a mile from my house. Pictures don't do it justice. The despair, heartache, and sense of grief hangs over the city. As I think about what I want to share with everyone, my mind freely flows. When I sit down to type it, I am at a loss for words that can adequately describe what the residents of Moore and OKC have gone through. I find it more therapeutic talking with a stranger in the grocery store about what happened than a friend or family member who does not live here. We share in each others pain and loss. When I went to the local Home Depot today, they knew my house was hit based upon what I was buying. They just knew. Now that I have been out into the community I can see that my house really only suffered minor damage. An inconvenience for our family - that is all. Seeing a lifetime of memories turned into rubble in a matter of seconds is just unimaginable. 

 This was a 7-Eleven. 

We went here for drinks on the day of the children's dance recital. This is where 3 people died.

 This was our doctor's office.

To my knowledge everyone got out safety.

 I drive past these homes every day. They are about a 1/2 mile from my house.

Stores I drive by every day. 

19th Street 

 19th Street

 I was standing in their dining room when I took this picture. Their home just a slab now.

 Not sure how anyone survived in this neighborhood hit by the EF-5.

 On my walk today I noticed flags everywhere. It is a beautiful sight among the carnage.

Another house on my walk. More homes I drive by every single day.