*Disclaimer, please be advise this is a long one.
Everyone who reads this blog is aware of the stress and anxiety I have had over the last several months/years. The most recent event in my life, took me to a whole new level.
On June 22nd, I attended my last bible study, for the summer with a group of fine women. I walked away feeling refreshed, renewed and ready to face the challenges. Although a little sad, because this was the last study I would have with this group. I spoke to Doug on my way home as he was out of town, to hear about his trip. I was feeling pretty good overall.
I returned home around 9:30 PM and pulled into my driveway. Upon exiting my car, I was then greeted by a friend on campus, as she was walking her dog. We chatted for almost hour. The night was pretty nice, after some very strong winds and rain throughout the day.
When I got into the house, I noticed Doug had called. Thinking it was odd to have him call at 10:30 at night; I sent a text and asked him if he still needed something. To my surprise, he advised he was given word from a friend, that our much loved campground, where we have camped the last 16 years, was hit by a tornado. He didn’t have much information, but knew it was not good.
My first reaction was Thank God, we were not there. We have been there during some heavy storms and it’s a little intense. But we have never been there when the sirens have gone off, or threats of tornados in the area. Immediately after that, I was struck with the thought of our place! Yes, don’t get me wrong, I worried about the campers too.
I hit Facebook immediately, and tuned into WGN live streaming, a station out of Chicago. I had to know more. The trailer is where we are storing a lot of our stuff that we couldn’t bring to campus due to lack of space. This included Christmas decorations, the kid’s toys they wanted to save, books, tools, lawn mower and more.
I kept telling myself as I watched Woodhaven’s two Facebook pages blow up with concerns, that this is just “stuff”, it can all be replaced. Lives on the other hand cannot be. I continued to scroll through comments and posts. I started tagging the people I have never met, but stated they were in my section looking for information. Around 2:00 AM, I was able to connect with three people very near my own site, in our section. One in particular advised she was there on the grounds, and would check in later in the day on the 23rd.
After about three hours of sleep, I got up and prepared for work. You can imagine my struggles being exhausted from lack of sleep, getting ready for work, while still checking in on any news I could gather about my camp site. I had to remind myself at work to stay focused on the job. I would continue to check Facebook on my breaks and lunch, to see if there was any news.
Many pictures were starting to pop up around the campgrounds, during the day. As I saw these pictures a few things happened. Yes, my anxiety rose. What was the person going to show me in the pictures of my place? I also started to think, if the news was bad what would I do? What can I do? I was fully aware the grounds are closed to the public, as they do a search and rescue to each and every lot. The reports were advising the campgrounds were far worse than anyone had originally thought. Certain sections on the campgrounds were “un-recognizable”, and the pictures proved that. The toppled trees that buried the structures underneath, confirmed they had to go door to door, lot by lot, to ensure no one was trapped inside, or dead. Now I really understood the devastation.
As of the time I write this, no deaths have been reported, only minor injuries. There was one transport to the hospital, but they were being observed only overnight. What a blessing this is. A campground is filled with tents and trailers none are suitable protection against a tornado. Many advised they huddled in the bathrooms that are located in each section. Mind you they are not big, but at least they were a concrete structure. I can only imagine if this had been a weekend, or a holiday weekend, there would have been no room in those bathrooms. On the 22nd it was determined there were about 600 people on the grounds. On weekends this number is in the thousands, and holidays are worse. I don’t have the exact statistics but I believe I have heard sometime there can be up to 30 thousand people on those grounds.
The campground is located in Sublette, Illinois. It is a private campground, one of the largest campgrounds in Illinois. It is unique in that you own your property, and are responsible for the up keep. Some places have tents or trailers, others more elaborate cabins. The grounds have a lot of recreational activities all year long. We have watched our kids grow up there, and have great memories with friends and family that have joined us. Even today, my adult children like to go and enjoy the relaxation and quiet from the daily grind. So what if the trailer is gone? In fact, my youngest would like to purchase the property from us, when we feel it’s time to let it go. What if there is nothing left of it? Yes we can rebuild, but we may not have the funds.
I did finally received photo confirmation around 3:15 pm on the 23rd, that my site and those around me were virtually untouched. In my little area of “haven” you would never know a tornado went through the grounds. But there are many who were not so lucky. It may seem silly to be so upset about “stuff”, but it was “stuff” we worked hard for. This “Stuff” is still the constant in this turbulent time of our lives. It is a place we can count on that is ours. We do not rent it; we own it, paid for in cash for the land. I am very grateful we were spared. I am very grateful, that a family who was borrowing our trailer, left the day before. This could have been far worse, lives could have been lost. Stuff is replaceable, Lives…..are not!
Also, as I write this, more storms are approaching the area. The forecasters are predicting the same type of storms or worse possible. I am clinging to the hope, that we will once again be spared and that those who are trying to recover do not fare any worse. There is still much clean up to do. It will take time, and the grounds will never be the same. I am awed by the support that campers are giving each other, and friendships that are being formed, my own included. It should never take a tragedy like this to form such tight bonds.
This is the one of those times, where social media was used to its fullest potential, not as an open diary, but as a vessel for information. I’m also sure this time will never be forgotten. I will try to never take for granted the things I have, or the life I have. I did in the past. But since moving to seminary, and learning about myself, I am also learning about what the blessings are in my life too.
John 3:16 ESV : For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.