Find beauty in the pain

The full range of emotions today.

Waking up hearing a tornado went down my street. The relief I felt talking to neighbors on the phone and hearing they were ok and our home was ok. The pain hearing of how they protected their children and the fear they felt. The gratitude I felt knowing as we were at a memorial celebration of life ceremony for Grandpa Uncle Ken this was happening and he protected us and our home. The mama bear energy pulling on the shoulder of the highway and getting CG out of harms way while she puked on my foot. The shock seeing it with my own eyes as we walked home bc of the road closures. The tears I shed and keep shedding over the trees. So many tears for so many beautiful beloved trees. The emotions of surveying the damage of our friends homes and finally embracing them. Our beautiful Bruce Lake will not look the same when the brush is cleared. So much devastation. The awe of the helpers and this community. The happy tears from catching the flash of our Megan’s engagement ring for the first time and remembering this most magical new event just happened and even in all the chaos she sparkles like the bride to be she is!!. The laughter every time I see our new third bathroom, which is really just the porta potty that flew from the park and is now laying in our yard. The love for our family and home and this community. The gratitude for all that reached out and all the people in the surrounding areas showing up to help. The frustration at the constant stream of cars all day and night coming to check out our damage. And the smiling selfies of some of them posing in front of it. The thankfulness for the essential workers putting the poles back up to help restore our power. The neighbor that showed up with an extra generator and the fan blowing on me as I type this bc of it. Another neighbor hosting us for a delicious home cooked meal. The tools and hands and words that showed up for us today. The offers to help with CG while I work or clean up. The offers of a place to stay.

It’s just all so much.

And so painful.

And so beautiful.