Joplin: Day 7 Talking Bunnies

I'm almost 49 years old...I've never seen a tornado strip bark off the trees like this one did....


Sometimes, when everything is lost, it's the little things that can make a huge difference.

In my case, I haven't lost anything...and yet, being away from my family, sleeping in a dorm, (and I use the word "sleeping" loosely), getting little rest and pushing my body to its physical limits, I yearn for things that bring me comfort.

My partner and I took five minutes out of our hectic schedule today and stopped at a gas/convenience store, where I purchased a 12-pack of Diet Dr. Pepper and two small bags of peanut butter M&M's.

I am happy. I finally have things that bring me comfort, and I am at peace with the world.

We're noticing small improvements today in Joplin as we scurry from here to there...Power lines are being re-strung; debris is getting pushed further back from the streets, and to our huge relief and joy, the traffic has decreased 10-fold.

Although the national spotlight has moved on from Joplin, as it tends to do in our ever-changing, fast-paced world, the work of the American Red Cross and other relief organizations continues.

We're delivering almost 3,000 meals each day to the residents and workers and volunteers alike...lunch, and then dinner....We could probably deliver more if we had more Red Cross volunteers here with us, but considering that there have been dozens of storms and flooding across the country, our reserves are stretched pretty thin. Because of this, we're pushed even more to do what we can to help.

Police departments from almost every city and county in Missouri are still here...I should know, as they're all staying in the same dorm as I am, and I have to say, I've never felt so safe and secure in my life. It's to the point where I don't lock my dorm room at all anymore - and it's nice to come home and see the presence of over 100 cop cars sitting in your "front yard."

My fellow Red Cross volunteers and I have three restaurants that we "rotate" through each evening for dinner. Many restaurants were destroyed, so the pickings are slim. Our choices are a steakhouse, Mexican or Italian. Last night, it was Logan's Roadhouse, and at one point during dinner, our weary waitress said, "Wow...will you look at that???!"

She points to the waiting area, which is...empty. She continues, "This is the first time it's not been packed since the tornado. I may actually get home before 2:00 in the morning." And she smiles in relief.

As we were driving through a heavily-damaged neighborhood today, we saw a bunny rabbit hopping along. In my "normal" world, a rabbit wouldn't get much attention from me. But here...it was a sign of life. And hope. And it was a sign of wonder..."How the heck did that rabbit survive an F5 tornado?" I said, in disbelief...

If only bunnies could talk.

Peace.

Joplin: Day 6 A World Redefined

Sleep eludes me last night.

Perhaps it was all of the frustration I was carrying around yesterday...the sense of loss...the sense of helplessness...the sense of powerlessness.

This tornado, if nothing else, has shown me that we - as people - are not as in control as we would like to think....

It has shown me that life is fleeting...and that your goals, your dreams, your plans - can change in the course of a few minutes.

Boom.

Your reality is now this: Before the tornado. After the tornado. Forevermore, your life will be defined by one moment on a Sunday afternoon when Mother Nature unleashed her fury and showed who really is in control.


A neighborhood playground...

As I drive through the streets of Joplin, I can only reflect on these things...passing mountains of splintered trees, sheet metal, smashed cars, and unrecognizable items pushed to the sides to allow cars to get through.

As I see the people of Joplin working in their shattered houses and yards, trying to recover anything that remains of "Before the tornado," my heart reaches out to them.

I want to reach through my window and tell them, "It's going to be okay."

But will it?

I'd like to think so.

I know the people here are strong. I know they have a fighting spirit. And I know they will get through this - not today, not tomorrow, not next week - perhaps not even next year - but eventually, life will return to a semblance of normalcy.

My days are long, hard and physical. I miss my family. I miss the familiarity of my world. I'm working as hard as I can in my Red Cross truck, delivering much-needed supplies to the people here to keep the recovery process flowing.


Just a few of our trucks at Red Cross Headquarters, awaiting instructions

If I feel the need to complain, all I have to do is look out my truck window, and I think to myself, "I'm sure the people of Joplin miss the familiarity of their world, too. Before the tornado."

So suck it up, Drama Queen.

There's work to be done.

Peace.

*Again, I will not be posting any photos of individual houses that were destroyed/damaged in Joplin out of respect for the people who lived there...I will only be posting photos of public buildings or businesses...I hope everyone understands.....

Joplin: Day 5 A Visit From the President

The last several days have been...frustrating.

In our culture, we are so accustomed to getting what we want...now. Immediate gratification has become the norm, and so when things aren't done quickly enough, frustration and annoyance can quickly set in.



Here in Joplin, the shock of the tornado has worn off, and a bit of frustration has set in.

Just trying to navigate the crowded streets of Joplin is an extremely frustrating experience. As someone said today, "Half of the residents of Joplin either lost their cars or their jobs...so you know it's not THEM who are driving on these roads...so who the heck are all of these people?"



Today was made worse by a visit from the President of the United States himself...Being that I have to drive right by where he was scheduled to speak, we had to stop for Secret Service checkpoints, which was interesting, to say the least. Can't say that I'd ever seen a Secret Service dude in real life, but now I have. And they're kinda' scary-looking, actually. Perhaps that's done on purpose.

Numerous roads were then "locked down" in anticipation of the President's visit, which made an already-horrible traffic situation just that much worse - it quickly became a nightmare.

I've been working at Red Cross headquarters the last two days, and we couldn't leave for awhile, as the Presidential motorcade would be driving right by. Although it was (somewhat) exciting to see a Presidential motorcade in person, it was frustrating to be trapped. I don't like being trapped - I don't like being told that I can't just jump in my truck and hit the road.



The people of Joplin have been amazing and so appreciative of the support that has been shown. When I get frustrated or cranky or tired, all it takes is to hear one person's story and my spirit is uplifted.

Tonight, I came back to my room - extremely frustrated and cranky. I'm talking, "on the ledge" cranky.

I'm tired...both physically and emotionally. I'm a little sick...probably due to not eating well and not sleeping well. I'm hot (it was almost 90 degrees today); I'm sweaty; and I'm dirty. Disasters sites aren't exactly pristine.

I sat down to read e-mail and check for comments on my blog, and there were 2 comments posted on my last entry, both expressing appreciation for sharing the stories of Joplin.

And one of the bloggers, Melanie, had lost her brother in the tornado.

I sat here and just bawled my eyes out. Sobbed for a full five-minutes...for Melanie, as well as for all of the families who lost loved ones from last Sunday's storm.

And then I mentally kicked myself for getting frustrated, and told myself, "Snap out of it. Think of these families...think of what frustrations they're going to be dealing with for the next day...the next week...heck, the next few years...as they attempt to slowly rebuild their lives."

My spirit has been restored.

Thank you, Melanie...for sharing the story of your brother. I'm reaching through the Bloggersphere and sending you hugs.

And hugs to the people of Joplin.

Peace.

*Please note that I will not post photos of people's houses - for sensitivity to them and their families. I am only posting photos of public buildings or street scenes from afar. I hope everyone understands.

Joplin: Day 3 Random Notes

Takin' it to the streets of Joplin...

Random notes about Joplin:

The city has been under a boil order now since the tornado. This means that in restaurants, you will not be able to order anything from a soda fountain. At Wendy's today, the employees were pouring us Diet Coke from a 2-liter bottle from the grocery store. Restaurants pass out bottled water - or no water at all...drink choices are limited, based on what canned pop they have. Speaking of Wendy's, I managed to sneak in a few minutes today and grab a Frosty...and it never tasted so good.

Storms keep rolling through here, which is wreaking havoc with the rescue operation...lightning was all around us, and we'd have to suspend operations until the storms passed. I have a poncho, but the wind was blowing so hard, the rain was coming up from the bottom of my poncho. I kinda', sorta', look like a drowned rat.

Okay. Forget kinda', sorta'. I really DO look like a drowned rat. Disasters are not a place for wanna-be beauty queens.

While waiting out the storms, I amused myself by witnessing two fellow Red Cross volunteers do an inadvertent Abbott and Costello comedy act - set to the tune of "Who's On First?" Only, in their case, it was, "Where's Our Car?" They were being totally serious, but I was busting a gut on the inside - and when they finally DID find the missing car, I laughed so hard, I cried. When you don't have TV, you have to make do with the simple amusements in life.

I am amazed (and I shouldn't be) by the outpouring of generosity and support I've seen here...It's brought me to tears to see the cars, trucks, utility workers, vans, etc from all over the country, rolling in to help.



Today, hundreds of cars slowly crept down the street in front of our Aid Station (as traffic is moving very slow - no stop lights, and LOTS of cars makes for slow-going), and they would roll down their windows and yell, "Thank you, Red Cross!" I felt so humbled - and wishing we could do even more than what we have.

Wishing we could wave a magic wand and make everything better. Wishing all the debris would be removed in one scoop - and houses would mysteriously re-appear where piles of unrecognizable wood and metal are now heaped. It reinforces the notion that sometimes, when you've lost everything, a simple act of kindness - such as a bottle of water, or a hot meal - can mean everything.

Did I mention the traffic? Oh, I did already? Well, I'll mention it again - because it's crazy. People have driven in, and they mean well, but it can be very frustrating for the search-and-rescue crews and other first responders who can't get where they need to be because of the thousands of cars on the street.



Speaking of first responders, the local law enforcement guys here are wonderful. They have to be a bit shell-shocked themselves, and yet they've all been so responsive and helpful. We're still hearing ambulance sirens and police sirens at all hours - it's almost become background noise.

One last note, and then I'm headed to bed early tonight. On the wall in the bathroom of the boys' dorm where I'm staying, there is a sign that says, "Please clean up after yourselves after using the bathroom. And please do not pee on the walls."

Really?

I'm just sayin' that you will never find that posted in a girl's bathroom.

And that's all I'm sayin' about that.

Peace.

Joplin: Day 2 China? Seriously?

I can now mark off "Be interviewed by a television crew from China" from my Bucket List.

Oh, wait. Didn't have that one on there.

Too bad, because today, Dear Friends, it happened.

We'll get to that later.

Day #2 is supposed to begin at 6:30 a.m. for me when I have scheduled my alarm to ring. But, due to strange dorm noises and no heat in my room, I wake up at 5:30 a.m. Yay for me.

Bob and I head over to St. John's Hospital, to set up an Emergency Aid Station. This is a stationed site where we will distribute items to be used to assist in the disaster.


St. John's - Ground Zero for the tornado...

We have water, gloves, rakes, tarps, snacks, diapers, personal care items, coolers - and my favorite, Famous Amos cookies. Which, when I told people that I had baked them myself, they were more than eager to sample them.


We parked in this Vet Clinic's lot...they were so hospitable to us, as they cleaned out their building. We kept them stocked up in Famous Amos cookies...


Another view of my corner...

Along the way, I'm able to take some photos of some of the damage that Joplin has experienced, and it is truly heartbreaking.


St. John's Hospital in the background...this was our "corner" where our station was...





The day is spent passing out our items, and I kid you not when I say that we probably saw 50,000 cars go down our street today. The Command Center for Search and Rescue was at the end of our block - near St. John's - and I saw cars from almost every state in the Union go by, all determined to help.



I saw church groups, contractors, ambulance crews, cops, highway patrolmen, K9 crews, insurance adjustors, recovery teams, government officials, and residents...and lots and lots of volunteers, all here to help.

It was bumper-to-bumper traffic from 8:00 a.m. until we left at 5:00 p.m...cars creeping along at maybe 5 mph, at the most.

EVERY SINGLE CAR got something from me - even if they didn't want my "stuff", they'd get a smile, a wave, a "thank-you" for showing up to help - or a thumbs-up. Joplin is in MY state, and I wanted to thank EVERYONE for coming to Missouri to help out.

Along the way, there was lots and lots of media and film crews, including this crew who came all the way from China to do a story. Wild, huh?! I did my best to convey some good-old-fashioned Midwest hospitality - sending kudos all the way to China.


They not only interviewed me, they taught me how to say "Thank you" in Chinese. But I've already forgot. Oops.

Another thing that struck me was how people were trying to give ME stuff. Hey, I'm trying to give THEM stuff - and they're bringing me Domino's Pizza, or water, or BBQ ribs, or pulled pork sandwiches. We ate well today - as I didn't want to hurt anyone's feelings - but man. Good thing I lifted 3 pallets of water, so I can burn off some calories.

Because that's the other thing we did all day. Lift. Carry. Move our inventory. Load more inventory (we had to call 3 times for a semi-truck to bring us more stuff - which had to be quickly moved from their truck to ours. Fun, I'm telling you.)

Every muscle in my body is killing me. My face is sunburnt and wind-burned. My lips are chapped. And I have a few more cuts and bruises that I didn't have when this day started. And I'm tired.

But.

Look at the pay-out. I felt the love today from 50,000 people in Joplin.

When it's said and done, I feel good. And I have hope for the people here.

I'm back in my room at 10:15 p.m. Such is the day of a Volunteer. Long. Busy. Crazy. Hectic.

But oh-so-gratifying.

Peace.