Lots of folks around here still get nervous when the storm clouds roll in.
In my adult life, Xenia has been hit twice by devastating tornadoes.
It is best known for the one that flattened the town in 1974.
Fortunately, there were also many miracles that day.
I was not living here during the 1974 storm.
I did live close enough to know very well.
I was around for the other.
I experienced my first tornado when I was around seven or eight, maybe.
We were camping along the Ohio River.
Boating, skiing.
Mom said a storm was coming.
Go to the shower house and change.
My brothers went their way.
I went mine.
I walked from the bath house toward our campsite.
WOW!
No fear...
What was happening?
I remember standing with my arms hanging limp,
eyes skyward,
watching the big oaks float up.
The wind was loud.
I was mesmerized.
I woke up from my dream.
I was wet and my head hurt.
My mother was screaming that someone was dead!
Gotta get up.
It's raining.
The tree resting beside me was huge!
I was nestled up under it's curvature.
Safe in it's arms.
My head was warm now.
The storm disappeared as quickly as it had arrived.
Half the camp was untouched.
I still wear the scar.
0 0
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A couple of days ago, we had a touch down a few miles south.
As much as I don't wish a tornado to appear,
I'm still drawn to the mixing storm clouds.
I could have stood there and shot all morning,
had the rain not come...
But it did.
So I shall write.
