Right Where I Need to Be

On Friday evening, an F4 tornado ripped through St. Louis - leaving devastation and destroyed homes in it's wake.

Fortunately, due to early warnings, no one was seriously hurt.

Knowing I live a paltry four hours away from St. Louis, I knew there was a very good chance that the American Red Cross of Greater Kansas City would be recruiting volunteers from our chapter to head east, in order to assist the people affected by the storm.

So, all day Saturday, I kept my cell phone very close at hand - waiting for the call. Even during my Daughter's cooking class, I had that cell phone in my pocket...waiting.

The call DID come.

As I knew it would.

But.

Saturday night had our family volunteering at our church, ushering in hundreds of people to attend Holy Saturday services. We had shown up at church at 4:15 pm and didn't finish until 7:00 pm. No phone for me during that time. It was insanely crazy busy. I'm not sure I even had time to breathe, let alone take a phone call.

And guess when the call came?

Yup. 5:15 pm.

Right during the middle of the chaos.

Missed it.

At first I was bummed that I missed the opportunity to go to St. Louis.

But the more I thought about it, it occurred to me that I was right where I needed to be Saturday evening...and I'm right where I need to be this week.

This is do-or-die week when it comes to my younger son, who's trying valiantly to make sure he's met all the requirements for graduation...

This is the last week of our "official" meetings of my Girl Scout troop...

During this next week, my sister will be having some major, serious surgery...

And my older son is home for a few days for Easter break.

Yup.

The Red Cross found the volunteers they needed to send to St. Louis, and I know they're doing a fantastic job.

Yes, I'm where I need to be this week.

Because sometimes, as Red Cross volunteers, we think it's our job to take care of the world.

When really, sometimes, we need to be taking care of our own families.

Peace.