I have just returned from a trip to Tuscaloosa. The devastation there surpasses anything I could have imagined. I thought I was prepared because I had seen so many pictures and news videos, but nothing could have prepared me for the magnitude of the devastation. So many people are dealing with tragedy, it's hard to understand why some people have happy outcomes and others do not.
While my family suffered significantly from the tornado, we have so much to be thankful for. My dad's beloved dog, Missy, was found alive! The tornado struck on Wednesday and every day my dad went through the rubble in his yard looking for her. Friday night he begged God to let him find her alive or at least find her body so he could give her a proper burial.
Saturday a man was driving slowly around the block and my dad thought he saw Missy in the car . I don't know all of the details about the situation even though my dad has told me the story twice. I am assuming the man must have seen him looking and asked if he had lost a dog. When my dad realized it was his beloved Missy he collapsed to his knees crying. I wish I could have seen that reunion! My dad has cried both times he has told the story to me.
Missy was found 3/4 of a mile away under a fence piece that was in a large pile of rubble. She didn't have a scratch on her, just a few ticks!
My dad has lost so much in the last year, first my mom and now his home. I am so thankful for this happy ending! It is a small miracle that offers great hope and courage in the face of very difficult times.
I'll be sharing some pictures and stories about my trip to Tuscaloosa over the next few days. Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers for my family during these last few days. Please continue to keep them in your prayers as they rebuild their lives.
23 comments:
heartening news indeed Robin. The reunion images are wonderful and the closeness of your Dad and his dog is accentuated by the backdrop of devastation.
Laura
Speechless here.....
What a wonderful good news story.Your Dad looks happy to have his beloved pet with him again.God cares even about our pets,or is it that He cares about us and gives us pets?
I'm so happy that your father and Missy have been reunited and that the dog is OK. A bright light amid so much sadness. I doubt there's a dry eye reading this.
Count me speechless too. Moved beyond words. Your images are stunning. Thank you for sharing such a beautiful story.
I am shedding a tear for your Father and all those in this horrible circumstance. At least this is a happy part of the story. I am thrilled for Missy being found alive and well. I bet Missy was excited too. It is too much to take in. Shocking really. Big Hugs to you.
Wonderful news. His prayers were answered. I will keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers. hugs for everyone.
{tears of joy}
Cannot tell you how this blesses me, Robin. Such bittersweetness. Those photos are beyond precious.
My heart still aches for those who have suffered...particularly for those situations I know of because of friends like you who have known the losses personally.
You remain in my prayers, sweet friend, and I will be anxious to see the other photos of your trip back home.
Much love,
Patricia
Robin - So thankful that your family is ok and that Missy was found. She looks just like my parents' dog Missy. What a lucky girl - and your Dad, too. A shred of hope in a terrible situation. You and your family are in my prayers.
I was so blessed to see that your dad has his dog back. In the midst of all the heartbreak of everything that's happened that is a bright light.
Your story made my cry. I am so happy your Dad found his beloved pet. God bless both of them!!
There is surely nothing quite like the bond between a man and his dog. I'm so happy to hear that your Dad found his dog and they are both safe.
I'm so sorry to hear that he lost so much in those horrible storms. We watch on the news and know it is bad. To read about it from someone whose family was so impacted really brings it into focus as not just images on TV but real people with real loss. Thank you.
I'm mopping up tears here.. I just read all of your stories and I am so happy to see your dad & his babies..
and the dessert drive now that sounds awesome.. Sending loads of prayers to you, your family and all of those effected by these storms.
hugs from Savannah, Cherry
Oh Robin, what a wonderful blessing for your Father to find his beloved dog alive in all the tragedy! I'm so grateful you shared these photos, they really got me choked up. We finally had a sunny day yesterday, but of course I was at work all day. We sure will appreciate the good weather when it fincally gets here!
I'm so glad that Missy was found alive and well. The photos of your dad and Missy spoke volumes of the love he has for that little dog. I got tears in my eyes looking at them and reading your post. Keeping you and your family in my thoughts and prayers.
I feel so relieved to read that your dad's dog was found and that she's fine. What a miracle amidst the madness! That is such good news, Robin. I'm glad they are both ok as well as your sister and brother.
Oh my goodness. Just found your blog by Googling about flowers and tornadoes since I'm writing a post about the devastation here. Would you mind if I featured your images on my blog? I'll be sure to give you credit. Your dad and his dog are going to make me cry! Thank goodness they are ok. Prayers for everyone who has lost a loved one in this devastation.
Oh how wonderful that she has been found safe and well.
I just cannot imagine the devastation all of the people are experiencing. So horrific!!
They all have my prayers!
Congrats on the POTW
Hugs
SueAnn
Congrats on your POTW.
I loved the pics of your Dad and Missy.....and I loved that you did them in black and white.
Brought back memories of my old Dad, and his little dog, Tippy, that looked incredibly like Missy.
Noone can put a price on the love of a man for his dog.
Big things come in small packages.Sadness was thrown away with such a simple moment.I see his feeling, our pets reflect a part of our lives.
So good to hear of something wonderful like this in the middle of so much sadness. I'm so happy for your dad and will keep him and all of those affected in my prayers! Thanks for sharing the story!
Robin, I've been so busy the past couple of months I had no idea about your father's devastating loss. I'm grateful that his missing dog was found and pray that things will improve for him soon. I'm grateful that he wasn't hurt in all this!
Robin, I wish to add my prayers and best wishes to you and yours. So many have gone through so much.
God Bles you
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