Whirl Wind

Now more than a week away, Greta's last day of school will be remembered by me possibly more than her first. I waited to write about it because even aside from the emotions I feel as her mom watching her grow up so fast and so strong, and the last day of preschool is yet another milestone to be thankful for and celebrate, this day was mixed with events that were a first for me. And, thank goodness for happy endings.

Greta's first year of preschool was thrilling to her. She adored her teachers, Mrs. Cowden and Mrs. Townsend. She was in a really great class that I hope to see next fall when we return. And, Jack and I missed Greta while she was with them all, but Jack and I also cherished our time together...just us. We always had something to do, and usually the time passed quickly and we were dashing back to the school to pick up sister. Jack and I would get groceries and fill up our pantry and refrigerator. We would run to Target and bounce giant balls down the aisles to each other, pick out suprise toys for sister (and I would sneak one for Jack). We would play hide and seek in the clothing racks (that do roll, by the way, Jack - that is a dead give away, that rack of clothes rolling away.) We spent time eating cake pops and reading books at Starbucks and this special last morning together, we went to Foo's Frozen Custard to buy Elbow Chocolates and sugar cookies.

As 11:30 drew near it was pouring rain and Jack heard "tooondar". I hung a banner and set up the after school surprise and thought we would go ahead and drive to the school to wait for a break in the downpour so we could run inside. It was torrential. Pulling into the parking lot, I thought I heard a siren, but surely not. The sky was just grey and didn't look sinister. We sat a minute. I swore it was a siren I could still hear, and I rolled down the window and drenched my shoulder. It was a siren!

Faster than I ever had before, I unbuckled Jack from his carseat and bolted for the church where about 10 nervous looking adults let me in and told me to go downstairs to the basement. We were so wet were were dripping and my shoes were ruined. The preschoolers were all sitting in lines down the basement hallways and they were calm and listening to their teachers read books and play nursery songs on little radios. But while keeping cool I saw them lock eyes with me questioning what I knew, which was nothing at all. I had no idea tornados were dropping out of the sky all around us. At that point, Derek called me to tell me they were taking cover at the downtown airport. He had no idea we were ahead of him. Jack found Greta and sat by her and I watched her wipe the rain from his forehead and hair. She kissed his cheeks and held his hand. She put him against the wall in her safe spot. We were downstairs nearly an hour when I took one of the little ones to the bathroom.

Right by the bathroom, the school superintendent was listening to a weather radio. She wore a grave expression. Down where we were it was hard to know what was going on above us. The little kids were chattering and you couldn't hear anything other than that. But passing by the radio I heard them say 87th and Nall. We were at 95th and Nall. I ran the little girl back to our wall and all the kids were told to curl up into the ball and cover their heads. I can not tell you how surreal this was. We were all singing ABC's to them and keeping them calm and I was terrified inside. I covered as many as I could with my arms and whispered sweet things to them and rubbed their backs. We were like this for about 20 minutes and then were told we were safe. I can not mention enough how thankful I was to be with my two babies during this. I can not imagine the terror a parent feels not being near their littles when danger might be close. I was so relieved and kept thanking God for putting me in that basement with them.

We stayed a little longer and drew a picture in the classroom and then went up to our car. I was so afraid I would walk up to storm damage and after seeing the destruction in Joplin Missouri, I was almost sick about it. There were nasty clouds but no damage at all. I could still hear sirens so we sped home. Of course our cable was out so I called my mom (as always when in need, moms unite). She was scared, too. She told me there was a touch down at 435 and State Line, 137 and Metcalf, and 157 and Roe and 87th and Nall. I kept the kids in the basement and watched the skies. We were all safe and sound. And, we are so thankful. What a way to end the year. At least I know all the preschool songs now to sing with Greta and Jack, and I can do it just like Mrs. Cowden after this crash course!