When Your Life Flashes Before Your Eyes
By CarolDM
@CarolDM (203396)
Nashville, Tennessee
April 2, 2023 12:12pm CST
What is the one thing you would hold onto if you thought you were losing it all? A question that went through my mind over the weekend. As we watched the tornadoes get closer and closer.
The guest bathroom tub was our tornado shelter. No windows. It was filled with blankets and pillows. As we watched the weather on television, about 2:am it was apparent there would be no escaping this one. There was a large confirmed tornado on the ground. And two more rotations, which could turn into tornadoes. One behind the other.
The Dude slept through all of the preparations of course. Brendel was following me around. She knew something was off. When I heard the meteorologist say to get in your safe place, it hit me. What if our home is gone soon. And everything I own. Never thought about what if I died. I put on Dustin's cap (he never left home without his cap) and grabbed one of his favorite football jerseys. I know they say everything can be replaced. But these things could not be.
I grabbed the cats and closed the bathroom door. And we waited. Our phones were charged, so we could still hear the warnings. Nothing else but the howling of the wind was heard. One tornado hit just four miles away. And a train derailed. But everyone was safe.
My thoughts are with all the families that lost loved ones, homes and everything they owned. So far, they have confirmed four tornadoes in Tennessee. One was classified as an EF3 with winds up to 160 mph (miles per hour). Can you imagine that force coming at you. At least nine people died in McNairy County, east of Memphis. They are still surveying the counties. So far at least four tornadoes were confirmed in our state alone.
Photo is my son, Dustin, with his favorite ball cap on. I wore it Friday night. Maybe it brought me luck. He was definitely with me.
Any idea what you would want with you in a case like this. Something that cannot be replaced, besides your life?
One town was totally wiped out. No houses, nothing left. Here is an article about all of the tornadoes in several states.
https://weather.com/news/news/2023-04-01-tornado-outbreak-illinois-theater-roof-collapse-arkansas-indiana-iowa
45 people like this
39 responses
@Fleura (34925)
• United Kingdom
2 Apr 23
That's a really difficult question, I have asked myself that. So many things I would like to keep - photos, family heirlooms etc. So many things that it would be a real pain to have to replace like passports, without which everything else is much more difficult. How about house insurance documents?? Although of course they say 'acts of God' are excluded anyway.
4 people like this
@marguicha (230334)
• Chile
2 Apr 23
This is a very difficult question. I am no longer attached to material things. It seems that that depends of age.
4 people like this
@Chellezhere (6421)
• United States
2 Apr 23
What a handsome man your Dustin was. Thank you for sharing his picture. Thank God you guys made it through the storm.
4 people like this
@Chellezhere (6421)
• United States
2 Apr 23
@CarolDM You're welcome. I hope you have a safe and restful evening. Have a joyous Holy Week.
2 people like this
@CarolDM (203396)
• Nashville, Tennessee
2 Apr 23
@Chellezhere Thanks and the same to you.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
3 Apr 23
I have never thought of what I would want to hold onto.If we had time we have a shelter locally. I think. I do not know where I would shelter in my home. A hallway, I suppose, or a closet.
3 people like this
@snowy22315 (208751)
• United States
2 Apr 23
I guess I would grab pictures and other mementos that could not be replaced. However, the time we did have an actual tornado hit the area, it was so unexpected, that the only thing I could think of was saving my life and that of the pets. I couldn't get either of them to come in the closet with me. Fortunately, they were both fine afterwards.
3 people like this
@snowy22315 (208751)
• United States
2 Apr 23
@CarolDM The power had gone out right before the 11 PM news so I had no idea one was coming...also, it was so small and localized not certain it would have shown up on the weather radar. It literally effected maybe a half mile or mile...all on one side. It did bring trees down though, and big ones.
2 people like this
@CarolDM (203396)
• Nashville, Tennessee
2 Apr 23
@snowy22315 These storms started early in Arkansas and made their way over many states. Left a lot of devastation behind.
2 people like this
@allknowing (153544)
• India
3 Apr 23
Thoughts about what to save will never occur to me as tornados come without notice. One mini tornado visited us a few years ago and there was a lot of damage around
3 people like this
@allknowing (153544)
• India
3 Apr 23
@CarolDM What happened here was least expected. The places where it happened were selective. Nothing happened to my neighbour for example
2 people like this
@CarolDM (203396)
• Nashville, Tennessee
3 Apr 23
@allknowing Those have happened here as well.
2 people like this
@FourWalls (86575)
• United States
2 Apr 23
I just did what I was supposed to do (safe place, helmet on, etc.) and didn’t think about it. I’ve evacuated the house once: March 2, 2012. I went to my aunt’s house because she had a basement.
3 people like this
@LeaPea2417 (40020)
• Toccoa, Georgia
2 Apr 23
Really, your town was destroyed? I'm so glad you are okay.
3 people like this
@LeaPea2417 (40020)
• Toccoa, Georgia
2 Apr 23
@CarolDM that's still so scary how close it came.
2 people like this
@CarolDM (203396)
• Nashville, Tennessee
2 Apr 23
@LeaPea2417 Yes, only four miles away.
2 people like this
@RasmaSandra (97908)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
2 Apr 23
So glad you and the cats are safe and sound. I know that Dustin was with you and all of your Guardian Angels. We get hurricanes here in Florida as you know. SInce I came here I only heard about them but never experienced any. Then this past hurricane season came the worst I am sure you read about what occurred in Florida. My friends assured me they had been in this house for 20 years and it would withstand all. I just lay down in bed and listened to the walls rattle and the wind blow and we were lucky we did not loose electric, In the morning the wind was still wild but the worst was over and I thanked the Lord and asked for the wind to calm down and by afternoon it was all gone, That was when I started reading about how bad it was and I too knew Martin had been with me and all my Guardian Angels as well,
3 people like this
@andriaperry (118793)
• Anniston, Alabama
3 Apr 23
At this turning point of my life, I cannot think of anything but my family, friends and animals.
I'm glad you are safe.
3 people like this
@shaggin (74988)
• United States
4 Apr 23
I have heard about getting in the bathtub when there’s a r tornado. What would a whole family do? Lay on top of each other? I don’t know what I would grab I can’t carry my safe with my cds of photos and my external hard drive and photo negatives. Other than that I think I could live without the personal objects.
1 person likes this
@CarolDM (203396)
• Nashville, Tennessee
5 Apr 23
You do the best you can. I have heard of many families laying on top of each other. You find the safest place you can. Usually the storms are over in seconds. I scanned all photos on my computer, so they are all safe. The key is to find a room with no windows.
1 person likes this
@vandana7 (102698)
• India
3 Apr 23
I feel we are never far from loved ones. Thoughts take us to them or bring them to us. I am glad you felt your son was near you. And I am glad the tornadoes left you alone. My dad first, followed by his muffler. Yeah those two things. Lucky me investments are scattered so I will survive somehow. May not be as well off, but at least not be on streets.
1 person likes this
@vandana7 (102698)
• India
3 Apr 23
@CarolDM I have an estranged sister. Not exactly estranged now. Thanks to our Pony TheHorse. I have managed to clear the hard feelings. But still she is very far. I love her very dearly. I did not know that I loved her. As long as she was around, I was always bullying her, teasing her, fighting with her, like I do to Pony. But there has been more than 20 years silence between us, and I yearned to talk to her. I have a fond hope that someday I will meet her. Last night I dreamed that she and her husband came to our home. We had nice time. It gave me a good feeling. So I do feel, we are in someway connected to our loved ones.
1 person likes this
@CarolDM (203396)
• Nashville, Tennessee
3 Apr 23
I have to believe that. It gets hard sometimes when you feel they are completely gone, then I talk to them and I usually start to feel them, especially my son. Without that, not sure I could still be here. Thank you. The tornado that came through here was at 110 miles per hour.
1 person likes this
@CarolDM (203396)
• Nashville, Tennessee
3 Apr 23
@vandana7 I am so happy you are not estranged any more. I lost my siblings and thank goodness the relationship was good. Not real close but good. The silence I can relate to, we managed to clear the air as well. I never dream. Or at least I can't remember my dreams. And I don't understand why.
1 person likes this
@much2say (57760)
• Los Angeles, California
3 Apr 23
Super scary and oh so close - I'm glad to hear you were all safe. I cannot even imagine. How devastating for all the destruction and losses - seeing the aftermath on the news is unbelievable. We have some things in a safe, but I don't even know if a safe would survive - I suppose when you only have split seconds, you are forced to think fast. Beautiful photo of Dustin . . . I believe he was with you too. 
1 person likes this
@much2say (57760)
• Los Angeles, California
4 Apr 23
@CarolDM Wow, that must've been a hairy experience . . . I mean, the tornado goes on its own crazy path . . . all you can do is wait it out. You are most fortunate - you were indeed kept safe in your safe place. Like you said, some lost everything . . . how does anyone come out of that - what these people will have to deal with from here on out. I know cars can get flipped over like it weighed nothing for the tornadoes, so I have to wonder if a safe could potentially fly away too.
Ah, a moment behind the photo . . . handsome Dustin holding his beloved cat 
. The baseball cap means a lot .
. The baseball cap means a lot .1 person likes this
@CarolDM (203396)
• Nashville, Tennessee
3 Apr 23
Too close for sure. Never had one that close. So far there have been four confirmed in our state alone. My heart breaks for everyone. There was an elderly couple that lost their home and business they had for over 30 years. Think about that.
I would think a steel safe would survive but it depends. I had a few hours to watch the storm but reality hit the moment we had to find our safe place, as they say.
Thank you, this is a favorite photo of Dustin. He was holding Momma Kitty. She lived to be 24. Much appreciate your kindness always.
1 person likes this
@Tampa_girl7 (54714)
• United States
3 Apr 23
I’d probably get my photo albums. I’m glad to hear you are okay. He was a handsome young man.
1 person likes this
@Tampa_girl7 (54714)
• United States
1 May 23
@CarolDM I have some of mine, but need to do the rest.
1 person likes this
@CarolDM (203396)
• Nashville, Tennessee
1 May 23
@Tampa_girl7 You can never have too many backups for photos.
1 person likes this
@aninditasen (18198)
• Raurkela, India
3 Apr 23
That was really frightening. If something like this happened in my city, I would hold Kittu close to me in a safe place and wouldn't want to lose him, as my sons are safe in their places.
1 person likes this
@aninditasen (18198)
• Raurkela, India
4 Apr 23
@CarolDM Glad to hear that its gone and you are safe.
1 person likes this
@CarolDM (203396)
• Nashville, Tennessee
5 Apr 23
@aninditasen Thanks again. Severe storms tonight but hopefully no tornadoes.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (59107)
•
3 Apr 23
I have always had to look out for other people, and pets, my children's safety was my first concern. I never really thought about belongings, as for pictures, yes, I do have a lot of them. But in all honestly if they were destroyed and I survived, I think between my 4 children I would be able to obtain copies of most, if not all of them, along with my computer. I realize your son's things are very important to you and I understand that. Maybe you could make up a little tote bag of special items and have it handy to grab if you needed to? The main thing is, you are safe. As you say, so many lost everything, and some lost loved ones as well. So very heartbreaking.
I am just very glad that you are safe!
1 person likes this
@CarolDM (203396)
• Nashville, Tennessee
5 Apr 23
@MarieCoyle Thanks again for your kind words.
1 person likes this
@CarolDM (203396)
• Nashville, Tennessee
3 Apr 23
I have done the same Marie. Always putting others first was my life. Now they are all gone. There are personal belongings of Dustin's I cannot let go of. I do have a l little bag. Funny you say that. I did that on Sunday. Many lost it all. Thank you for your kind words.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (59107)
•
4 Apr 23
@CarolDM
If it would help your peace of mind, maybe you could put some of his special belongings in a small fireproof/waterproof safe in case of bad weather or whatever we have coming our way. Like I said, it might help you to know you did that. Glad you did the little bag, that's good.
1 person likes this
