Sorry for the morbid entries. But unfortunately, they are suiting my mood. I’ll snap out of it.
Tuesday was the six year anniversary of the tornado that killed 27 of 600 residents in Jarrell, Texas. The tornado was TWO MILES WIDE!
Quote:
Shortly before 3:45 pm CDT on 27 May 97, a violent tornado struck portions of Jarrell, TX, killing 27 directly, and doing damage officially rated F5 on the Fujita Scale -- the most extreme level of tornado damage. This tornado blew some houses completely off the foundations and swept away the disintegrated remains. It also scoured asphalt from roads, killed and dismembered hundreds of cattle, stripped bark from trees and uprooted them, and bounced vehicles for up to half a mile from their parking places.
I remember this terrible day for a number of reasons.
I was working for Pepsi in Austin, Texas, about 40 miles away from Jarrell. My boss had us all huddle in the warehouse as we were having terrible hail (golf ball size+) and severe thunderstorms. Perfect tornado weather. It was frightening. Yeah, let’s all hang out in a metal warehouse full of bottles and cans. I had seen some bad storms, but this one was scary.
And I was there, but I really didn’t want to be there. But me, probably more so than others.
I was working, but only because I was about to take some time off.
It was the first time I had seen my husband cry. My phone rang the day prior to the storms. “They killed her,” he plainly said. “They killed Tessie.” Tessie. My husband’s sister. Now my daughter’s namesake. (Zoë Katherine Teressa)
I never knew her. My ex and I just bought our plane tickets to go vacation in New York and visit his family. This was to be the first time I was going to meet most of them (as we had eloped). I had talked with Tessie only a few times on the phone. She was funny. Pretty. Outgoing. She had been a wild hippie child. I was looking forward to meeting her.
I never got to. She was murdered.
Apparently this 34-year old gang member tried to rob her (just out of jail 18 hours earlier). She lived in California. Very active member of her church. She was visiting a single mom of four and was delivering some food to this woman’s apartment. As Tessie was coming out, this worthless asshole approached her and wanted her jewelry. He shoved her down to the ground. She tried to get back up and he pushed her down again. Then he proceeded to kick her head in. The woman jumped on this guy’s back, but there was no stopping his fury. He had steel-toed boots. Tessie didn’t stand a chance. Some asshole security guard didn’t even try to stop him. He was afraid. Nice.
[aside]
They wanted to give him a death sentence. My mother in law refused. He was a third striker and got life with no parole. I bet he doesn’t even care. He showed no remorse. He is the reason why some people should not have children.
He literally rearranged Tessie’s face. The jury cried during the trial when they showed her autopsy pictures. We had to have a closed casket.
Tessie was married to Benny. They had an 11 year old son. Stupid thing was, Tessie would have given that guy her jewelry, and then come back to bring him food or money.
It was the saddest funeral I’ve ever been to. My ex silently cried behind his sunglasses. The church was crazy hot. The widower was inconsolable. He read a poem then fell down sobbing. I just wanted to escape. I felt like an intruder. I didn’t know her. I didn’t know these people. So many of them came up to us to relay their sympathy. I nodded and kept quiet.
My ex’s ex-girlfriend (mother of 2 of his kids) was there. She knew everyone and they all came up to her. It was beyond uncomfortable for me. I wanted to go home. There were so many people there and I didn’t know any of them.
Back home people were also grieving. Entire families were lost in Jarrell. A whole subdivision was wiped off the earth. Fundraisers were held. We had driven through Jarrell the day after the tornado on our way to Dallas (long story, we had to fly out of Dallas). There was another tornado watch and we drove through the worst thunderstorm I had ever seen. I had to drive 30-40 mph for an hour. News trucks and storm watchers lined the freeway. It was morbid.
This past week has made me sad. I do and I don’t know why.
I want to take a week off. I really feel the need for a vacation or some fun. I’m working too much (and not really working). I’m also not taking time off on the weekends (babysitting the under 3 crowd). I’m broke, and I’m not feeling well. I’m avoiding going to see my endocrinologist. I know he’ll yell at me for not seeing him.
Meena wants me to go dancing this weekend. I think I may force myself to go. Or I may start posting my recipes, just so I stop writing about dead people.
As you are Hostage in my Head for the few minutes you read this, I turn and offer my condolences.
[aside]
Thanks Minou and to all of y'all. Good posting. Keeps me entertained while fake-working.