Once an Okie, Always an Okie. Never been prouder.

I thought I was used to this sort of thing. "Ooooooooklahoma, where the wind comes sweeping down the plains" and all that jazz. But you know what? Tonight, I was scared. I watched those tornadoes rip up this beautiful place I call home and then I put on my puppy slippers and I cried. 

Even after the storm moved on, it was hard to feel grateful for my safety when I could see so many other people's lives being torn apart. I wanted to do a Wonder Woman twirl and become a firefighter or a doctor or a millionaire or a giant eraser to just get rid of the last few hours. Yeah right. So now what? What in the world can little me do in a situation that seems so helpless? Here's what: I can make sure that at least for me, things like this don't happen for nothing. I can learn the lessons staring me in the face and I can change the way I live my life. Sometimes it takes moments like this to realize you're doing it all wrong.

You guys, tonight I brushed my teeth in my own bathroom with my feet planted in their usual grooves in my own carpet. Tonight, I kissed my parents and little sister goodnight and I could feel their breath on my cheek. I tripped over that pair of shoes that I thought I needed so badly and that I complain about when they give me blisters. Tonight, I knelt by my very own bed on my bruise-less knees that bend just right and I thanked a merciful God for watching over my family, my friends, and I, and asking Him to watch over those who, starting tonight have a painfully different journey ahead of them.  

So when I wake up tomorrow, I'm going to be grateful for that obnoxious alarm beep. I'm going to look people in the eyes when I talk to them. I'm going to make sure my family and friends know how much I love them because oh my heavens, I LOVE them. I'm going to take a little bit longer to say my prayers because I know my Father in Heaven can hear me. Thank you to everyone who has gone through the pain so that I can learn the lesson. Thank you for being strong so that I don't have to be. 

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Now, I want you all to know, I felt silly for writing something as personal and...dramatic as this, but I decided it's ok to feel. That's how we grow. It's what makes us human and sharing those feelings is what helps us connect. So wherever you live, whatever you experience today or tomorrow or a year from now, know that you have people all around you who love you and who have ears that are pretttty good at listening. More importantly, remember that you have a God who loves you and who has ears that are even better at it. He's going to make everything alright in the end. So don't you worry about a thing. Everything's just gonna be great. :) 

"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled neither let it be afraid." John 14: 27

Love, Kelli