I've often heard people say, "I would not want to live where you do, with all those tornadoes."
Having lived in the Ozarks for nearly 70 years, I've never been in a tornado, never even seen one. The closest I've been was when Brightwater was practically wiped off the face of the map probably over 60 years ago.
Mom belonged to a Home Demonstration Club in Benton County, and they decided to adopt a family that had lost their home to the storm. The club women made a quilt for the family and collected kitchen and household supplies. That left a lasting impression on me. We went over the night they had a party - I guess to celebrate the ones whose lives were spared. Of course the Wiggin Family Band played for the group gathered there.
It's said that children learn to fear storms from their parents. If my parents were ever anxious about storms, they didn't pass their anxiety on to us kids. So, I never was afraid of lightning or thunder or heavy rain or flooding. Wind is kind of scary though. Earthquakes and hurricanes are something else. That's why I like living in the Ozarks.
When a storm hits and the distant sirens of Rogers or Bentonville are heard and we are to take cover, Jerry and I look at each other. Where would we go? Our neighbors have a basement, but more people are usually killed going to shelters, so we stay put, sometimes turn on the TV - if electricity hasn't gone out. Or, if it's late and we're already in bed, we just hope for the best. I always say a prayer that the storm will miss us. My daughter said, "When they tell us to go to a safe place, I sit next to my husband. He is my safe place."
When I was growing up, I found storms exhilarating. After a flooding rain, we'd walk the creek banks to see how high the water was and how many trees had fallen. That was before most creeks had bridges over them. Papa pulled many a stranded car out of the raging torrent with his tractor, never charging them, of course. It was the neighborly thing to do. The aftermath of any storm usually only lasted a day or so, then we could go back to our normal way of life.
Other Ozark tragedies were the dreaded forest fires. Once I stood at a window and watched with my dad as the fire drew near to our house. Luckily we had the land cleared quite well and the fire veered away as neighbors fought it.
It was blizzard storms that drove us to move from Nebraska to Arkansas. The wind would blow those snowdrifts so high we'd have to dig a tunnel to get to the barn. Now when I see a rare blizzard in the Ozarks, I enjoy watching it and am reminded of those Nebraska snows.
A tornado did pass about a mile south of our home a couple of years ago. But, I guess I take the scripture literally that says: "I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress, my God; in Him will I trust" (from Psalm 91).
When storms come, I admit I do some praying, but I give my fears to my Heavenly Father.
Marie Putman is a former Gravette resident and regular contributor to the Westside Eagle Observer.
Opinion, Pages 6 on 06/12/2013