Fifteen Minutes . . .

I had just settled down to enjoy a cup of coffee when the alarm sounded. I grabbed my phone—and my heart began to race . . .

TORNADO WARNING!
TAKE SHELTER IMMEDIATELY!

For just a moment, I couldn’t move! Flashbacks of the tornado that touched down just up the street a few years ago, popped into my head. That twister took down a row of trees, and the roof off the church.

Oh, gosh, I’ve got to get to the basement! Whispering a prayer, I grabbed a flashlight, my purse, and my phone. In the basement, at the foot of the 14-step staircase, I glanced overhead. Where do I go? I asked myself.

Our basement is unfinished. In case of the worst scenario, no matter where I might shelter there, huge beams, possibly broken glass, water from all the many pipes running the length of the house, could be flying around.

Making a quick decision, I pulled a chair over near the stairs and fell into it. Then I remembered . . . I forgot to bring a blanket, and a bottle of water!

Do I go back upstairs for the water, and a blanket? It would be better to have them, I decided, than not. Whispering another prayer, I hurried back upstairs. Soon I was back down, seated in my chair—clutching a blanket, a bottle of water, my phone, and a flashlight. My purse was on the floor.

For just a moment, I had to laugh. I must look like Linus in the comics (Peanuts), or Dorothy, in The Wizard of Oz. That moment of laughter was calming, releasing some of my fear.

I glanced at the clock . . . fifteen minutes until eleven o’clock. Earlier weather reports indicated the stormy weather would be over by 11:00 P.M. Fifteen minutes! Fifteen minutes to worry, my heart pounding! I called my daughter who lives 45 miles north of Dover. She stayed with me on the phone until the fifteen minutes passed, and the tornado had moved on. The house was secure—and I was safe.

In retrospect, if it were to happen again, not to forget to grab a blanket and a bottle of water! However, I did grab the most important thing of all . . . I whispered a prayer.

Grace and peace to you,
Mary Emma