May flood 2010

John and I returned to Nashville from Saginaw on one of the worst possible days in Nashville recorded history. May 1st, Nashville got unprecedented amounts of rainfall, flooding many places including Bellevue, Franklin, East Nashville, and even the Grand Ole Opry. John and I were driving in rain for most of the day and didn't know the magnitude of what was headed our way. We did know, however, that there was a LOT of rain. So much so, that i took note, and turned on the radio. Tornado warnings in Nashville.



We pressed on and made it to Gail's (John's mom) house by 5 pm. We settled in for the night, woke up to more rain, and our eyes were glued to the tv. I had never seen anything like it in Nashville; the very roads I knew like the back of my hand were completely flooded--interstates turning into rivers, and cars floating downstream. It's amazing when things like this happen. I can't seem to pull myself away from the television. It's as if, in some way, watching tv brings me closer to the heart of the crisis and makes me a part of something bigger than myself. I'm not rescuing anyone in boats or even being rescued myself. But somehow, i feel connected to all those people out there who are suffering. The fact that I am watching people from my own hometown makes the connection even stronger.




As time went on, we really began to see the devastation unfold and increase. We also discovered an inch of water in Gail's basement, where John and I have been storing our belongings since we left for Dominica. We headed down and worked to get whatever we could off the ground and dry. Thankfully, nothing was completely ruined and we were able to get rid of a lot of things we didn't need anyway. Many others did not have the same story. One of our dear friends from childhood, Will and his wife Sarah, had their condominium completely flooded on the first floor. That alone would have been enough to cause anyone major distress & shock, but Sarah is 8 and a half months pregnant with #3! We headed to Bellevue to help them out yesterday, salvaging what we could, ripping out dry wall, carpet, appliances. It was all destroyed. I have heard about flooding before but never realized how devastating it can actually be. Amazingly, their attitudes were so positive; it was truly inspirational. Being a part of the clean-up crew was like putting hands and feet to my "tv watching" from before. Everyone there is about something bigger than themselves and it is a beautiful thing.





And the clean-up continues, and will continue. So many landmarks, neigborhoods, and homes have been damaged or destroyed; so many places that are "home" to me, like the Grand Ole Opry, Opryland hotel, and downtown. Nevertheless, my love for my city has grown stronger, as I have witnessed hundreds coming out to help in whatever way they can. This is home, and always will be.