There's No Place Like Home

Dear Fearless Homeowner,

Our thoughts and prayers go out to those effected by the tornadoes today. Oklahomans are tough by nature, but it’s been a rough day across the state.

Today’s weather has made me think about houses a little differently. Normally, I think in terms of the total square footage of a house, whether it is a Ranch or Bungalow style, or if the fixtures have been updated recently. Today, the main function of many homes in Oklahoma was simply to provide shelter.

Being a native Oklahoman, spending a Spring evening in the hallway was something I casually grew up thinking was normal. It wasn’t until a rare Winter tornado came through Edmond a couple years ago that I finally learned to respect the power of nature. Chris was at a closing in south OKC when the sirens began to sound. I huddled at the end of the hallway with our animals and listened to the tornado hit our next door neighbor's house and then head to the house across the street from us. We were spared from a direct hit ourselves, but I would never take tornado warnings lightly again.

With serious talk of severe weather all day today, it gave me plenty of time to prepare for the late afternoon storms. I found it interesting to consider what things I felt worthy of taking with me into our “safe spot” at the end of our hallway. Chris planned to stay home for the afternoon, so of course we needed space for both of us to hunker down. We also got the carriers ready for the animals...Even the turtle has his own shoebox for just such an occasion. We placed basic bad weather supplies (weather radio, flashlights, etc.) in our storm shelter area next.

Beyond the essentials, I had to make some tough decisions about what we should protect. Chris and I both made sure we were wearing our wedding bands, and I also put on a wooden ring he carved for me out of our oak tree and a brooch that belonged to my grandmother. I collected my purse and phone, our laptops, the camera (with a full picture card), and my flute. I recently discovered my long lost passport, so I figured I’d throw that in my “go” bag to be sure I didn’t lose track of it again. Interestingly enough, I remembered our cat’s daily breathing inhaler, but I forgot to grab the medicines both Chris and I needed. I used to pull together pictures as well, but with so many of them online at this point I save the time and space for other valuables. We grabbed a few other things, but those were the most important items in my mind.

I couldn’t help but wonder what items other people secured in their safe spots. With a house full of “stuff”, it’s remarkable how few things I truly choose to shelter in the lead up to the storm. Days like today are good reminders that the façade of our house isn’t nearly as important as the roof over our head and the walls that protect us and our loved ones. Somehow I love the walls of my house more today than I did yesterday. As Dorothy is famous for saying, “There’s no place like home”.

Hoping all our readers are safe and sound this evening.

~Kristin