Okla-HOME-a

On a regular Tuesday afternoon in February 2009 I pulled into the parking lot of my son’s preschool. I assumed the mass of parents running from their cars toward the building was to beat the coming rain. But when I got inside, I discovered something more. The children were not in their classrooms, but in the church basement because “A tornado is coming” people yelled!

I was confused, nothing about the weather that day had indicated tornado. How did everyone know what was happening?

I asked another mother if I should go to my other children’s elementary school. “Yes! Go! Now!” What kind of mother asks such a question she probably thought.

But I was new to Oklahoma. I knew about hurricanes and flooding from growing up in Houston, but this tornado thing was new to me. We had lived in Edmond for only a month. Already we had experienced an ice storm and a fire down the street, and now a TORNADO was coming! 

By the time my preschooler and I arrived at the elementary school it was in lockdown. Not only were kids no kids being released, but my little one and I were ushered into a classroom and ordered under a table. Cell phone service was already gone so I couldn’t even warn my husband, who I knew would be as clueless as me! Lord, where have you moved us?

A couple months later when the “normal” spring winds kicked up, again: Lord, where have you moved us! If this is what the “winds coming down the plains” is all about, take me back to Texas, please!

Fourteen years later, I still detest the wind in Oklahoma. But when someone recently said, “I bet you are soooo glad to be coming back to Texas,” I felt defensive. At some point along the way this place I once cursed I grew to love.

We’ve raised our children here. We planted a church. We served in the schools, and have been involved in the community. We’ve experienced high highs and low lows, forged forever friendships and made lasting memories. These things have changed and grown us. We are not the same as when we arrived.

From leaving familiarity and starting a new life from scratch all those years ago I gained new perspective and greater compassion. I know more now what it’s like to be an outsider and newcomer. To be lonely and also alone, such as on occasions like Easter or Mother’s Day when others have family around or on gamedays when everyone around gathers with college friends to cheer on one of the two Oklahoma teams. To be stretched and find contentment even so.

And now I’m going home but leaving a piece of my heart in Oklahoma. Fourteen years ago, I wouldn’t have thought that would happen. But as it turns out, this true Texan will proudly be displaying nods to Oklahoma in my new home in rememberance of our time here and the people and places we grew to love.

Tornadoes, wind, it doesn’t matter– Oklahoma, you’ve shaped us. You’ve been home. And today I am sad to say goodbye but forever thankful God saw fit to call us here, for a time.

Plen'y of heart and plen'y of hope...
You're doin' fine, Oklahoma!
Oklahoma, O.K.!