This is not a drill.
We have fire drills and tornado drills, but what do you call it when there’s an actual fire or an actual tornado? When I was in high school, someone set some kind of fire in a bathroom (the details have become somewhat fuzzy), and what we called it was, “Everyone get out of the building and then stand in the rain for hours and then come back into the building and shiver for the rest of the day because the radiators can’t be turned on.” (Huh, seems like some of THOSE details aren’t exactly fuzzy.)
Today, a tornado touched down near my school, and as we emphasized that, no, it was not a drill, I learned that what we actually call it is “tornado lockdown.” I was actually kind of impressed with this phrase. It sounds so official and makes the idea of everyone crouching by the wall in the tornado position seem so much less silly.
Of course, it didn’t seem silly at all when the tornado siren started going off. I don’t have a lot of tornado experience - we get tornadoes here, but certainly not like other parts of the country. I remember there being a pretty serious tornado warning when I was in elementary school and that we spent a couple of hours crouching by the wall, but I don’t remember hearing the tornado siren. In fact, I am not sure I have ever heard a tornado siren. It was surreal when it went off, because it’s something I have read about but never actually experienced. And I was okay when it went off the first time, but when it started going off the second time, I actually got a little bit scared. We spent an hour in tornado lockdown. I am very thankful that everything turned out okay, and that no one was hurt, but I would be lying if I said that hour in the tornado position didn’t take a toll on all of us. Not to mention the extra hour we all stayed at school because the buses couldn’t run until everything was safe.
That’s where Mike comes in. Let’s start with yesterday, when he drove me to my class so I wouldn’t have to walk in the rain, came home, made chili for dinner (he claims this is not a soup), and came back and picked me up. Today he drove me to class again (because I was going to be late late late without his help, thanks to the extra hour at school), picked me up after class, and let me cry on the way home. This is why he’s my hero - saving me from a downpour, holding my hand as I cry in the dark. It was a long day, and I am more than a little bit overwhelmed. Let’s all hope for a more normal day tomorrow. (Please.)
August 27th, 2008 at
I have been in Kansas for 2 years now and earlier this summer we had a very close tornado. I live on an army post so they test the sirens all the time, but it was creepy to hear it late at night and not stop for almost an hour!! It was surreal to me, too. I also work in an elementary school and the first time we had a tornado drill the sight of all the kids in the hall kneeling down at the walls with their heads covered freaked me out. I can’t imagine having an acual tornado and this is the only protection the kids have!!
I’m glad everything turned out okay for you!!
August 28th, 2008 at
I came over because Chatty Emily told me how great you were—and if she thinks someone is great, they must be :)!
I loved this post. I loved that I felt scared right along with you, and frustrated, and rescued too. Anyone that can write about themselves in such a clear way is talented indeed!
So glad you and everyone else was alright!
August 28th, 2008 at
a. Yay for Mike. That makes me happy.
b. I also like the official phrasing. Nice.
c. The tornado siren goes off often enough here that I don’t even react to it. I am glad it’s not a common occurrence for you, and even more so that everything worked out OK today.
August 28th, 2008 at
I remember doing the drills as a student and a teacher. I spent most of my timefrustrated with my students because they weren’t “taking this seriously” and that meant wewould have to be there longer! We spent about a week in lockdown after Columbine…it was my first year of teaching. It kind of freaked me out too, but I didn’t have Manly Man yet, so I just went home and kind of sat there, not knowing what to do.
August 28th, 2008 at
Awwww. :hug: I’m used to them, but I hope you never have to get used to it.
August 28th, 2008 at
Hi, I came over from Emily’s. Glad you are safe…that must’ve been unnerving!
I read your last couple of posts while I was here…and your kitchen looks beautiful! Great job.
August 28th, 2008 at
Tornados scare me, always have. Glad everything turned out okay!
August 28th, 2008 at
That’s awful! I would have been terrified. It sounded like you held yourself together quite well. I really hope today is a MUCH MUCH better day for you. On a random note, you’re a Jacob fan too? I think you’re about the first one I’ve met to share my view!
August 28th, 2008 at
Isn’t it funny (or not!) that now WE are the adults and the kids look to US to be calm and in control? Sounds like you did both marvelously.
August 28th, 2008 at
Chatty Emily sent me too. Mike sounds like a sweetheart. But Chili really is a soup…if it drips it’s a soup.
I guess that would make cereal questionable…yes, yes…cereal is a soup too. it drips.