I'm preparing for finals and a teensie bit of freedom from school. So ready to take these exams. So ready.
Last Wednesday, I watched the news about the tornadoes in Alabama and never knew it was affecting someone I know personally and have grown to care a lot about. I was sitting in class on Thursday when I realized one of my classmates was missing. And then it hit me that she was from Alabama. I texted her and she quickly responded that she was okay, but that she was in her car. I left class and found her crying. My instinct was to cry with her, but she begged me not too. She's told me before that she hates people feeling sorry for her and that she needs tough love instead. I'm not so good at that. It was very hard to not cry as she told me what happened. I want to cry now just thinking about it. Her dad lost his home. Her best friend's grandmother was killed. Her cousin couldn't contact her parents. Her son was to be a ring bearer in a wedding that weekend and the groom couldn't locate some groomsmen. Awful. 100% horrific. She kept it together at home, because it was her son's 6th birthday and said she realized when she got to school how emotional she was. I had to put on my tough love face and told her to get out of the car and go get coffee at the cafe to get it together and come to class. She hugged me later, and I wanted to cry all over again. I don't think we understand the power of natural disasters until they affect us in some way. Please pray for those who have been affected including my friend.
In happier news, we celebrated Emilee this weekend!
I'd also like to say that I'm so grateful to those who risk their lives each day to keep us free. I pray for our country everyday. Last night's victory can't help but make me want to brace for the retaliation I fear will come to our country because of it.
~BKL
