I keep hearing from more and more people from Enterprise about the devastation the town has sustained. It's heartbreaking: the loss of life, injuries, loss of homes, loss of family members and loss of pets. I can't seem to stop thinking about it ...and crying about it.
I am extremely sensitive by nature. So much so, that usually when something like this happens, I go out of my way to avoid the news stories. When there is a shooting at a school, weather-related tragedy, or anything that the media tends to sensationalize, I have to block it out, because I feel it so deeply that it will take over. Many years ago, while living with my sister, she banned me from reading the newspaper because I would constantly cry about the stories I'd read. I have to maintain a fine line between keeping up with what is going on the world and letting it take over my emotions. It may sound strange, but I'm glad I feel things the way I do. I think many of us have become so desensitized to the events we hear or read about that we don't really feel them they way we may ought to.
The point of this is that in the case of the tornado in Enterprise, I simply can't block it. I have very strong emotional ties to the town, and I still have enough contact down there that I can't avoid it. Nor would I want to. It's the kind of place where everyone knows everyone else, and even if you don't know them personally, you know OF them. I received an email from a friend today who's father is a teacher at Enterprise High School. He forwarded an email from his father detailing the events of the day, and I could barely get through it because my eyes were filled with tears. I'm not going to go into any detail here, but the more I hear about what happened, the more horrible I realize it is. Please keep everyone in your thoughts and prayers. I know I am. Also, I have heard that the town is in need of bottled water and blood donations, so if you feel compelled to help, those are some ways you can do so.
If you're still here, thanks for reading my rambling. I'm still trying to sort out my feelings, and my feelings of being so helpless by being thousands of miles away.
