Shelter for Oklahoma

by Ann on May 22, 2013

By Heather Davis, LTYM: Oklahoma City Co-Producer

 
My weather app alerted me to the fact that tornado sirens were sounding in the Oklahoma City metro area. I was almost three hours away, but I had people there. I had my Listen To Your Mother people there. Immediately I texted Mari Farthing, a cast member who lives in Moore.

 

Check in when you can. XO

 

I texted our producer, Misti Pryor and Julie Bohannon.

 

Are y’all okay? Check in. XOXO

 

I picked up my younger daughter at school after sending a message that she was to come home with me instead of staying after school for a party. It was a gut feeling I was giving into; I just wanted my baby home with me.

 

Then I took to Facebook.

 

Our cast members had already started a check-in thread. Mari had already picked up her kids from school and they were in their storm shelter listening to the storm blow a mile away from their home.

 

Over the course of the evening, we learned of the massive destruction left in the wake of the tornados. Schools, homes and hospitals destroyed.  Every one of our cast members, including Barbara Schoff and Jennifer McMurrain and I in Bartlesville and Brandi Barnett in Tahlequah all took shelter from these massive storms that were assaulting our state.

 

We kept up with each other:

 

Checking on my friend Robin—she’s a teacher.

 

Pray for our neighbors.

 

It just missed my husband.

 

The check-ins went on all night long.

 

Thankfully, when the storms blew over, the family of Listen To Your Mother-Oklahoma City were all safe and accounted for.

 

“It’s okay to be scared. This is a scary thing,” offered Mari to her daughter as they hid. It’s an affirmation we all need to hear. This is a scary thing. Many families aren’t as fortunate as we are. Many families will never ever be the same.

 

For those families and those who are serving them, we pray for their peace and comfort.

 

Oklahoma Women Bloggers has put together a response list. If you feel so led, this is an excellent resource for your giving in whatever form it takes.

 

We are Oklahoma, though. We’re tough. We will rebuild; we will be stronger. We will be okay.

 

Until then, thank you for your thoughts and prayers.

 

Oklahoma City cast photo by Macy Fitzgerald

Oklahoma City cast photo by Macy Fitzgerald

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