My mother-in-law lost her front porch and building in a tornado Saturday, but my niece's boyfriend and his family lost EVERYTHING they had in Kenly that same night.

You may have seen pictures of the tornado damage my MIL and her husband suffered early Saturday morning.  It was bad and it's going to be a big clean-up.  I, for one, will be over there getting my son's baby clothes we had stored there out of the trees and pond.  It is a mess.  You can't walk in the yard for nails and broken glass.  However, they will rebuild.  They still have a house they can live in.

My niece's boyfriend and his family are not so lucky.  Her boyfriend lives in Kenly, and after recieving a phone-call from my niece about the damage here, to their house and her Grandma's house,  around 3 am, they went through much worse up there.  Their home was torn to shreds, Blake was sent to the hospital with a gash on his arm and all they were able to save were some clothes and damaged photos.  They no longer have a home.  Right now they are staying with a grandmother but they are looking at moving to a hotel, like many in Kenly have. 

Maryland Gomez, who died in the tornado, lived across the street from them.  It is utter devastation in that area and the fact that his family is still alive is amazing.  I saw Blake today.  He was at the 25th Wedding Anniversary of my husband's sister and her husand--my niece's parents.  He looked so exhausted, so tired.  He's been out there trying to help clean-up and salvage what he can for his family.  Every time I've ever seen him before he was always smiling, joking and laughing--but not today.  My youngest son was a little perturbed at Blake today.  When we left the reception he said that Blake was no fun.   I asked him if that was just because we weren't able to have the party at Grandma's where he plays video games with you and (my niece.)  I didn't know how to explain to him that Blake's house was destroyed in a tornado.  Our kids slept through Sat. night...somehow...they slept through me screaming at my husband to wake up.  They saw Grandma's in the morning though...

The Anniversary party had originally been scheduled for the Sunday after Halloween.  It was cancelled because my SIL (who has been fighting cancer for 8 years and takes chemo every two weeks) caught pnuemonia and was in the hospital.  So it was re-scheduled for my MIL's house this Sunday.  However, it was held at our church because MIL's home was hit by a tornado.  Just unbelievable...

There is a very good thing that came out of that celebration today.  I know what kind of a man Blake is.  I watched him on several occassions say something to my SIL or BIL and he would always put his hand on my SIL's back.  He asked her what she needed and how he can help.  (She's still on oxygen.)  I thnk my niece and him will work out in the end because one knows how it feels to have possible loss hanging over her head for many years now and, although the boyfriend may have tried to understand, he's had a total loss on his part now.  He lost his home but still has his family.  My niece's home was spared Saturday but she faces the loss of her mother.

Moral of the story--What doesn't kill ya only makes you stronger.

I swear these last two months have been h3ll.  I wonder when it will stop...and I'm not kidding. 

I would like to help the Barbee's out so when I find out what they need I will let ya'll know--Ya'll are such good people.  Today...I didn't get any answers from him.  Which is expected.  I will try to find out what this family needs in the coming days and let Golo know.