Saturday, June 1, 2013

Why I Live in Tornado Alley

     Whenever there is a tornado outbreak in our state, many of our friends and relatives from around the country begin asking me on Facebook and on the phone, "How can you live there?" "Don't you think you need to move back here?" and to that I must say...

     There are natural disasters almost everywhere you might live. California has earthquakes, Arizona and many states around it have wildfires, the East Coast and Gulf Coast have hurricanes, there are blizzards in the north and floods in the Midwest.
     Being in the path of storms is the price we pay for living in the friendliest, most generous, kindest place in the world.Yes, we have disasters, but within minutes there are neighbors, and friends, and strangers who become friends lining up to help.They give money, the clothes off their backs, and their labor.They open up their homes.They pass out food.They travel across the state to go to the aid of hurting people.
     We don't have to have a tornado or a building blown up by terrorists to bring out the love in our state.When you stand in line at the market, people chat.When you stop to admire someone's garden she is likely to invite you to the back yard to see more and you leave with some cuttings to plant in your own garden.The people on your street have a block party and everyone brings food and sits around talking and laughing. If you are out to dinner and there are storm warnings, you can call a neighbor who will brave the weather to go check on your dog.
     There are churches practically on every corner here and the people who attend them live their faith. More than one church in our community offers free breakfast and lunch to kids all summer long because they know that when school is out many will be hungry without the free lunch program at their schools. Many churches partner with a school and weed their lawns, paint the playground equipment, monitor tests, donate school supplies, send encouraging notes and little treats to the teachers, and help out any way they can.
     Oklahoma probably doesn't need me, but I need it. I need to feel that wind "come rushing down the plain" and mess my hair. I need to get my fingers in the red dirt that is impossible to wash out of a kid's clothes. I need to wake up the morning after a storm and see the sky, that unique Oklahoma blue, with white, big-bellied clouds that look like you could bounce on them.
     I need to see the different cultures living together yet maintaining their own heritage. I need to hear the town names, like Gotebo and Bug Tussle and Hooker, and know that when I drive there, it could be that a dog will be taking its nap out on the highway because it sleeps there everyday and I can darn well drive around it! I need to know that when the school has a pet show in the parking lot someone is likely to trailer in a horse for her entry.
     I need to know when the State Fair is in town and to hear the stories of friends from our church who go there to minister to the carnies, taking them blankets and bottles of shampoo. I need to hear the drawl of someone who asks me if I want to take the "buggy" he is finished with at the grocery store and tell me they are "fixin'" to move a "humongous" load of hay.
     I have lived here more than forty years and raised my sons here. They don't remember anyplace else, although they were born in California. We left here once but Oklahoma red dirt is in our blood now, I guess, and we couldn't stand it. When we crossed the state line as we were moving back I let out the breath I must have been holding all along and knew I was home.
     I wasn't born in Oklahoma, but I hope to stay here till God takes me to His heavenly home.  Psalms 139:16 says "All the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be," so no matter if there are tornadoes or illness or however God chooses to take me, I know I don't need to worry or be afraid. It is in His hands and His timing. I just want the trip to be from Oklahoma. It's pretty close to Heaven already.

31 comments:

  1. You hit it on the head well said ,Lived her 53 years lovin it :)

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  2. Really enjoyed your article. Especially enjoyed a good laugh on the troubles New York City must endure. Keep sharing your thoughts. Pat in Louisiana

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  3. well done,you had a great teacher too !
    SH

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  4. So True! Great read!

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  5. Thanks for this! I get so tired of people asking 'why would anyone want to live there?" I've been here for most of my 45 years and I don't plan on going anywhere!

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  6. Oklahoma is the next thing to heaven.....

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  7. I need Oklahoma too!! Some of my friends hate it here but it's my favorite state that I've ever lived in (out of 5!) Oklahoma red dirt has completely gotten "in my blood" as well! I love it here - tornadoes and all!! :D

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  8. I've lived in Oklahoma for 22 years, and as soon as I'm done with my undergraduate degree, I'm getting out. While what you've said may be true for most people, some of us do not feel the kindness that you preach. I am a lesbian, and I am tired of being treated as a second class citizen. I am tired of my relationship being treated as somehow 'worse' than one of a man who beats his wife, or a woman who cheats on her husband, or two people who married just so that they could have sex with a clear 'conscience.' I'm tired of the snide remarks, tired of being afraid to hold hands with my partner, tired of making friends, then losing them once they learn about my sexual orientation. I'm leaving Oklahoma, being chased out by the very people who claim kindness, acceptance, and charity.

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    1. I, too, am sorry for the way people have treated you. Jesus is our example. He didn´t treat people this way. Some people have forgotten that, but not all Oklahomans would have been ugly, even if they don´t agree with you.
      The Bible tells us: `If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.´ Romans 12:18 That is also how Jesus taught us to live.

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    4. Whoa on the above!!! I'm from Oklahoma, love my lesbian/gay friends, and I'm so sorry you are treated this way! And shame on the other person..."flaunting" their relationship? How dare you. My mom is a lesbian and I think I'll keep her that way. Not every homosexual flaunts their relationship anymore than the trash heterosexual couples I see fighting in the 7/11 parking lots.
      Head up buttercup! Some of us do support you.

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    5. I hate to say this but you will find hateful people everywhere, that doesn't excuse it, but don't blame it on Oklahoma or any other state. Place the blame where it lies, on the individual spewing the hate, and try not to be thin skinned. Everyone has something about them that 'someone' can take offense with. The trouble is these days we are all too easily offended. lighten up people!

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  9. Thank you all for your kind words. My words were spoken from my heart. I'm glad if I touched yours.

    To the above: I'm so sorry you have not felt love and acceptance while you have lived here. It is true that most views here are not the same as yours, but there is no excuse for unkindness.

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  10. Loved this....I live in a very small town in Kansas, not far from the Okla. state line, and 30 miles from the town of Greensburg.....as you know it was hit by a tornado a few yrs ago...I wouldn't live anywhere else either but in "Tornado Alley"....I've lived in other states and cities, (ex was Air Force) but there's " no place like home" as Dorothy and Toto would say....thank you so much for writing this, and writing it so well !!!My prayers still go out to all in Okla....

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  11. I've only lived here a year, but I already love it. The people are friendly, the sunrises spectacular, and yes, that red dirt gets in your blood! I moved here from Missouri, and we had tornadoes too. Loved your writing :)

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    1. I moved here a year ago from Michigan. I much prefer having to take shelter once or twice a year during tornado season than having to drive on ice and snow covered roads with dummies that think going 90 m.p.h. on pure ice is somehow manly.

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  12. Love it. I couldn't agree more. I'm of the same mind. I moved here in 1990 after living all over the world, and surviving many other natural disasters, from typhoons to earthquakes. I love this state for the state we live in is one of community.

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  13. I'm from Missouri originally too, and our oldest daughter was born in California too. I've lived here 39 years now and it feels like home. Thank you for your post. It definitely resonated with me!

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  14. Born here, raised here, stayed here, will die here! OK.I.E all the way and your words are like honey! God bless!

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  15. I think everyone feels that way about their home. Not just in OK. If you're happy where you are that's all that matters. I wouldn't go so far out on a limb to say that OK is the friendliest state in this country-I don't believe any state or it's people can lay claim to that. I travel the United States everyday for business and if I had to chose where I have felt most welcome it would definately be Hawaii. Those people are special indeed.

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  16. Thank you! I too Love this State! I have lived here all my life, 54 years, and I can't imagine living anywhere else. No where like Oklahoma would people help out like we Okies do when tragedy strikes!

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  17. I lived in Oklahoma for 5 years! Was not born there and returned to My Home state of New York. Oklahoma is a Fabulous state to live in, I made great freinds there that remain freinds today and always will... I do take offense to your coments about other states... You don't live in My great State, you have no idea about the neighborhoods I have lived in. Your General Statement about how Oklahomans come together in a crisis is a slap in the face to the great people that live on NY and Boston and New Jersey. Your holier than thou thought process about how Oklahoma is any freindlier than my State shows your ignorance. In NYC there is Street fairs all the time. Where I live on Long Island we have our annual Block party scheduled already. The People that Live on Long Island and in New Jersey have helped out there neighbors and strangers during and After Tropical Storm Sandy took their homes. I dealt with mean, obnoxios, ignorant, people in Oklahoma and I have also dealt with them here in New York. They Exist in every state in this Fabulous Country. Oklahoma is a great State but don't be misguided in to thinking it doesn't have it's Flaws. As for churches and religion here are some facts:
    New York City is the most linguistically and religiously diverse city in the world. The 8.4 million inhabitants communicate in some 800 different languages across the five boroughs – the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, and Staten Island. New York is also a religious city: 83% of New Yorkers are affiliated to some organized religion. This is a rate of adherents larger than that of the state, New York State (75%), and one of the highest in the entire United States.

    Christians comprise about 70% of the population; 40% of whom are Catholic and 30% Protestant. They attend approximately 2000 churches and 4000 informal places of worship such as community halls and homes, thus a total of some 6000 churches. New York City also boasts the world’s largest cathedral, the Episcopal Church of St John the Divine.

    12% of New Yorker claim Jewish decent. There are more Jews in New York City than there are in the Jerusalem city limits. They have more than 1000 synagogues – 70% permanent and 30% temporary places – at their service

    Yes this was long winded but I susgest when you tell eveyone why you live where you live give them those reasons and leave my state out of your opinion!

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    1. I think YOU need to reread the post! The ONLY place New York is mentioned is in the paragraph where it talks about disasters being everywhere. And that was in direct reference to the question people ask about why she stays in Oklahoma where there are tornadoes. She simply says, there are disasters everywhere and she names a few places. The fact that she names Mayor Bloomberg as the NYC disaster is definitely tongue-in-cheek. Most conservatives consider him a walking disaster. You need to take the chip off your should and read the post for what it is: a tribute to the writer's adopted state. I happen to agree with her. We have lived all over the US and we LOVE Oklahoma enough to have made this our permanent state. Not that I don't love other states, I do and New York is one of the places on my list a desired vacations so take a chill pill my friend and know that after you read the words New York, you stopped seeing what was written and started seeing a slam to your state. This article was not that at all. Get over it.

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    2. Maybe you need to reread my post.. I did not take excpetion to her blog post because of any mention of New York. I took exception to this Comment "Being in the path of storms is the price we pay for living in the friendliest, most generous, kindest place in the world. Yes, we have disasters, but within moments there are neighbors, and friends, and strangers who become friends lining up to help. They give money, the clothes off their backs, and their labor. They open up their homes. They pass out food. They travel across the state to go to the aid of hurting people". As I stated I believe Oklahoma is a great State, it is just not more freindly Kind or Generous than any other state that I have lived in. I used NY for my examples because I currently live there and was born there. I also mentioned Boston and New Jersey in my comments. I went on to religion because the 5 years I lived there all I would here is how bad or violent NY was from locals that never lived in my state or even visited my state. Each state offers something special and Unique and to be honest it really isn't the people. People are people in every state, and one of the best things about this country is that no matter what state is in trouble there are people in the other states that are willing to contribute to help out with aid or assistance to see that state through it. Oklahoma people are not any Freindlier, more caring, more Generous or more of anything than any of the other 49 states.. We all have the same makeup!

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  18. Only thing I can say is I agree with most of this story. But recently my house flooded and asked many places for help but was turned down. I have roofing contractors turning me down or just not showing up to even look at the damage. I have a doctor leaves office for days at a time while not telling patients and now I am out of pain meds. What has happened to us in Oklahoma? I always loved it here but recently I am not sure.sorry

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  19. I was born and raised in Oklahoma. My family before me settled in northern Cleveland County and staked the land in the Oklahoma land run. My great great Uncle was a territorial sheriff before statehood. That red dirt runs deep within me and no matter where I have lived in the world or where my journey takes me, I am always proud to say where I am from. Tornadoes were and are a way of life and always will be, but the fine people of Oklahoma will get up, dust themselves off and get on with their life.

    Unfortunately, life can be harsh at times everywhere. Ignorant people and unkindness seem to be running rampant at record speeds. I just happen to believe the people in Oklahoma are different and I always will. It will always be my home no matter where I am.

    Thank you for writing this blog - I really enjoyed it :)

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  20. I think with time our 'real selves' come out! The lady who wrote this in the first place was talking from HER heart.
    Others jumped in with their opinions, which they are entitled to do. Then everything went crazy!!!!!
    The Author of this was truely bragging her state & it's christain ways up...and that is fine. Others could have said, "I'm happy you are happy there but I personally love it here_____ where I live.
    My main point here is this: What happened to all those wonderful christains that were mentioned? I, as a christain, felt offended by all the bickering that took place amoungst all the 'christains' here! And most of it seemed to come from my birth state of Okla. Why can't we show our goodness on here? Is it how you always act? Is it just because your 'ANONYMOUS' and (no one will know? Well,
    Big Surprise people....GOD knows who you are!!!!!!!!!!!! God bless you all..in Christ love, Linda

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  21. Again, I want to say Thank You for all your kind words. Of course, any writer uses superlatives in her writing. Because I think Oklahoma is the "friendliest, kindest, most generous" place to be doesn't mean that I think other places aren't friendly, kind or generous. I haven't lived everywhere, of course. It is a figure of speech. I have been amazed at how many sweet people have responded here. You have made my month.

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  22. I loved your words. Please don't let the negative words of others make you feel like you need to apologize for your thoughts. My home has been here, in this great state for my whole life...almost 63 years. My children were born here & although 2 have always lived here, the third thought he needed to spread his wings in the "big city". He lived in NYC and LA, but has finally come "home". The red dirt does indeed get into your blood and the wind, that is part of life here, fills our lungs with pride.
    To be called an Okie is a privilege and an honor and although I have visited a lot of America, including beautiful, exciting NYC and eclectic LA, my heart is only at home in Oklahoma.
    Thank you for your beautiful words. Every person, in every city and state, should be proud of where they live. Wherever you call home, should be where your heart is.

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