The Storm from Hell

Tuesday, May 15th, a night I won't forget soon.

I arrived at the office about 7:15 that morning, as usual. The only difference being that I knew it would be about 10pm or later that I would arrive home that night. It was the day of our "Eclipse Awards" - a huge deal for the nonprofit organization that I work for. We give out wawards to businesses and other nonprofits for their ethics and integrity in doing business.

The day went well, the awards dinner went even better. 560 people in attendance, food was good and people were excited and proud of their awards. The students who also received awards are amazing teenagers who have done a lot in their short time on this earth.

One of the girls in the office and I left about 9:30 as I was taking her home. We chatted on the drive, glad the long day was over. We both noticed some lightening flashing in the sky but paid no real attention to it - it wasn't raining...

Yet.

I dropped her off and jumped onto the Interstate to continue my trip home. I noticed the flashes of lightening were more frequent, the rain started hitting my windshield.

The hail started next. A lot of it in fact. Bouncing off the glass and the hood of my Jeep. The sky proceeded to open up. Rain came down so hard, so fast that I could not see. I turned my wipers on full force, had my flashers on so if anyone else was on the road they would maybe see me - because I couldn't see them.

I couldn't pull off the road - I couldn't see where to pull off. Lightening was flashing closer and closer - and in the sky I see clouds - no, not clouds - funnel shapes - two of them.

And I was headed right between them.

All I could do was drive - and pray. Hail, rain, winds over 60mph - and me, alone on the highway.

And then I felt it - the hair on every inch of my body starting to raise - and the flash on the road in front of me. Lightening struck the road. I couldn't swerve to anyside - I couldn't see if anything or anyone was there. I hit my brakes to slow down even more and prayed some more.

I eventually made it to my exit - which was flooded. The street on which I live had about 8 inches of water covering it. I hit the button, the garage door opened...

I was home.

The next morning the sun was out and as I checked email the roomie came in the room and said "you have to see this". He opened the blinds to the back yard...

And there in the yard was a pond - a new one, not one we had made - and in it swimming were three mallard ducks - having a ball! Swimming, playing and trying to find something to eat.

I survived the drive and the storm gave the ducks a place to play.

And life goes on....