Day 3: A Tornado of Jumbled Impressions and Emotions

I have a whole new level of respect for those who have experienced the hit of a tornado, hurricane or any other dramatic weather event. When I went back to the house yesterday afternoon the feelings that hit me when I walked through the door were unexpected. I felt coldness; the space was so impersonal and messed up that I couldn’t wait to get out of there. I was going to pick up my Melita coffee filter / maker but everything in the kitchen was wrapped in plastic, save the broken area that has to be rebuilt. Our home didn’t feel like home any more, just a structure with breaks and bruises that is waiting for all the ducks to align so it can be fixed.

One’s house is more than a structure. In many ways it’s a living extension of who we are, filled with memorabilia of life, past travel, family, and cherished moments. Rooms painted in colours that resonated with us are damaged and dreary as they wear a coat of debris. Windows that once let in streaming light now boarded over, making the rooms even darker. It’s an assault on so much of who we are, as the memories that are held within those walls make the house a home.

I'm glad I waited to start writing this blog. Bits and pieces have been flying through my mind — a jumble of impressions and emotions and I needed time to make sense of so many of them.

Sunday morning, a couple of days post tornado, started off clear and sunny and then the clouds started coming in. It was a reflection of our mood. Ray and I decided to go buy muffins to bring for the police and other first responders. We joked that donuts were way too stereotypical but that muffins were healthier anyways. We wanted to do something for those who were so amazing to us. We parked on the street. We still couldn't get into our driveway and saw a Paramedic parked at the corner. I ducked and tried to see inside the car. I didn't know if Tracy would be on duty but had hoped.  A connection. Someone I respected so deeply, an amazing medic and her therapy dog, Max. I was thrilled to see it was her and we rushed over to the driver's side of the car. She popped out to give me a hug. She didn't recognize the corner she had seen so many times nor the house she had visited with Max.

 

Max saw me, put his paw on my shoulder and head went down. I had never seen a Golden Retriever look so sad. He wouldn't move his paw. Just sat there looking at me. It was hard to be so upset when I started worrying about Max!  He's a sneak. Tracy was on for the whole day and made sure to keep checking on us. It was hard to keep Max out of the kitchen. He was used to going in and getting his banana. I had no banana. I had a messed up kitchen. Tracy made sure to connect with anyone walking into the neighbourhood. That's who she is. I introduced her to Officer Louis who was guarding the area. They needed to meet. Two people I have the utmost respect for.

The contractors came back to do another round of tarping as we had more water in the kitchen. We packed up a few more things. We couldn't do much but felt as if we needed to be there. We picked up more glass, registered with the volunteers so we could get some help with the property and tried to figure out what some of the items were that were interspersed with trees and branches. 

It was hard to leave. I can't describe why other than I felt as if we had to be there to protect the house in any way we could. It doesn't make sense but there was a pull. The media came and went. I was interviewed by CBC and then CBC français about my experience. Finally, as the sun was starting to set, it was time to get ready to leave. Except we couldn't. Neither of our cars would start! Office Louis tried everything he could to try to start the cars, but it was time for CAA.

2 boosters later, one for each car, we left and went back to Michael and Amy's. Still no power there either. We looked for options to order food in where there might be power. We found it and then got ready for bed. As we went downstairs Michael made a passing comment, "If the power goes back on, the only thing you'll hear is the fan on the furnace". A half hour later we heard it.  Power was back on!  We were all hooping and hollering and no one wanted to go to bed if the lights were back on!  But we did. This time with a smile and definitely warmer as the heat was back on too.

Tomorrow would be an easier day.