Gratitude and Prayers after a Scary Day

When I got up this morning, little did I think I'd be blogging tonight from a hotel room in a nearby town. Tornadoes ripped through my hometown of Springfield, MA and the surrounding area this afternoon. While my immediate section of the town was spared, a few blocks away were scenes of devastation. The only thing we are suffering from was a lack of power and no idea when it might come back (the last time anything remotely similar occurred in our area it took a few days). That's a pretty small problem in the big scheme of things.

So, tonight, I am thankful. All my family and friends are OK. Some sustained damage, but nothing that can't be fixed. I am thankful that my house is in one piece. I am thankful for having the resources to be someplace with hot water and air conditioning on this hot day. I am thankful for wireless access at the hotel which allowed me to take place in a work-related chat I had been preparing for for several months!

I am also praying for those in my community who were not so fortunate. I hope that they get the help they need to recover and rebuild as quickly as possible.