So it's springtime in Kansas again. Torrential rains, thunderstorms and twisters are the name of the game. Almost every year, Nature does her best to get the best of the God-fearing inhabitants of this state. And all inhabitants are God-fearing because we live in Kansas. With the twisters. And the thunderstorms. And their sister floods. And the ensuing droughts which then follow in July and August. You definitely can't let Nature or fear get the best of you to survive here.
Last week, a F5 tornado took out 95% of Greensburg, Kansas - a little town of 1,200 or 1,400 or 1,600 or 1,800 people (pick a number, the media seem to be randomly guessing so you should too) - about an hour-and-a-half west of Wichita. Most of the major facilities that small communities are built upon - like the post office, all the schools, government buildings - were totally destroyed. All the utilities were completely sacked. From the media photos, it looks worse than a war zone. And I can relate to your hometown and all you've known being devastated by such a disaster because my hometown of Andover, Kansas was ravaged by a tornado in 1991. Many of the important landmarks and history you've come to know as your own are no longer standing. Lives are lost - which is of course the thing that can't be replaced. But we were lucky. This tornado cut through the southern part of town - a residential strip, leaving most of the historical and necessary community buildings. But Greensburg was just totally wiped out. I don't know how they'll rebuild their town and community. But I'm sure they will. That's how we Kansans are. Hearty people from the heartland. Don't know why we seem so insistent to make our homes on the plains. Maybe because we're here. And there is a lot of room to build a home and life out here. Even when Nature knocks you down and makes you start over again.
But Greensburg had a little luck too. The deepest hand-dug well - this little town's big claim to fame - is still there. The giftshop and rest of the attraction's facilities were plowed. But the well is still there. Because of course, it's under the ground. How lucky is that? So if a town can wrap it's spirit around a big hole in the ground, they ought to be capable of anything.
President Bush visited there today. He too was impressed with the big ole' hole in the ground that's still there when the whole town is gone.
Actually, I don't know that President Bush even knew about the well. But we sure all knew about his trip to Greensburg. And Air Force One flying into Wichita for the Blackhawks to take W out to Greensburg impressed us Kansans who are so incredibly bright we choose to build houses in tornado alley.
Seriously now. Our hearts truly do go out to our fellow Kansans who lost homes and lives in this latest weather-related tragedy. And it is an inspiration to see Kansans pull together to help our fellow statesmen in need. Godspeed for a healthy recovery and new life ahead.
2 comments:
Hearty people from the heartland. Yes they will rebuild, don't ask them why. Because they don't know, and old GW, hell, he didn't even know why he's president - as he stood looking down into that big ol' hole. I think staring down into that dark abyss caused him to rethink his life and maybe made him miss those tender times with Victor Ashe.
And what about that big ol' hole. The largest hand-dug well in Kansas, or what about the largest prairie dog or the largest ball of twine. How bout Boot Hill in Dodge City.
Crap, we had so many things that the tornado could have chomped on and all it took out was the big ol hole. Man - it missed out.
Well there's always next week.
I've felt inspired by the spray-painted graffiti on the ravaged homes and piles of rubble and debris during this last week. "Country folk can survive." (A little Bocephus showing some attitude.) "Future Home of the Thiesens." Or the shoe-polished sentiments on cars of residents who escaped. "We survived the F5 Greensburg Tornado." You can take my home and everything in it, but you can't take my spirit. Country folk can survive.
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