telephones and tears

i just wanted to share some of the calls I received or made during the months doing alabama's lost birthdays.

i made a call to one family and as part of my call I asked what does your child want for their birthday? there was a pause then I heard- well he would like to have a tricycle but he needs shoes cause the relief site didnt have his size and he hasnt been outside for  3weeks because we cant get to the store.  and the yard is still covered with glass and metal.

one family we had everything ready to have the party but I couldnt reach the mom. finally after a week she called. she said I am so sorry but I had to wait til I got to the relief center. I only had a minute on my cell phone and I was saving it in case my family needed to reach me.

different family I called the mom and she said oh we really thank you for her clothes but could you keep them for us. we are still in a shelter and have no where to keep our things.

i was talking to a mom one day and our call was interupted by the operater. the family had a family member die as a result of the storm.

one mom said our house wasnt destroyed but it was damaged. when we went to meet the family we found out the house was knocked 6 inches away from its foundation and mom had just had a baby the week after the storm.

mom said we have changed our mind my son doesnt feel like celebrating his birthday because he lost so many friends and teachers.

dad said we lost everything so whatever yall can help with will be fine. thank you ,  I have always been able to take care of my own til now,  ( dad rebuilt house only to have it catch on fire when eletricity was turned back on.)

he wants a cowboy hat cause his was blown away. it was inside a truck that was blown away too.

more stories to come as I continue this journey.  grannie

outside the tornado

my daughter posted to my facebook page " tornado coming at me. I love you ,mom." scariest post I ever recieved. and then the words " we are okay"  wow a moment I will never forget. ( I still get tears thinking about that day.) then the pictures started coming across the TV. i stood in stun silence watching view after view knowing there was nothing I could do to make it all go away. shortly after that day I visited  ringgo ga . buildings gone and homes wiped out. I remember thinking oh please dont let alabama be this bad. my family and friends are there. I soon learn it was that bad there too. I stayed glued to Tv and Facebook watching and crying. praying my daughter would get through this. we talked on the phone as i watched the computer so I could tell her where help was available. I was so proud of her when she said mom I took my neighbors to get diapers and food. She thought of the others as she herself wondered what to do.
the day after the tornado my daughter called and said mom cancell the plans for carolynns birthday.  the tornado took away what was to be carolyn's special day. no visits with her cousins, no cake, no motel room , no presents. I tearfully canceled all our plans. and continued to watch facebook as toomers for tuscaloosa told of needs and people stepped up to help. then i saw a posting for ALABAMA"S LOST BIRTHDAYS. a group was forming to help the kids who lose their birthdays to the storm. I ask if they could help Carolynn. she became their first birthday child.. As we had her party I learned the things my daughter shielded me from. like Carolyn really spent her birthday at childrens hospital. she celebrated with a bag of M&M's from a vending machine. such plans we had for her special day ending in a bag of M&M - heartbreaking. the stress on my daughters face that day told me another story too. nights without sleep and days struggling to be normal. by the end of the party my daughter had relaxed and she said this was much more than a party, for these two hours we were normal again. I didnt have to think about the house or where dinner was coming from. my neighbors kids and  carolyn were happy and laughing again. by the end of the party I had a mission to give this feeling to other mothers. no kid should miss their party.
I soon learned this was easier said than done. but i have to go now come back again as we journey through some of the joys and problems of hosting a birthday party from 300 miles away.  grannie

rain and storms

the threat of thunderstorms will always make me nervous. I remember when i liked to listen to the rain and watch lightening. not anymore. now it just feels my head with the awful images from april 2011.  I felt so helpless as the news came from alabama. homes destroyed lives changed forever. I still wonder about the little ones we have been able to help. will they always fear the storms. will they ever enjoy the feel of the wind racing against their faces. or will a spring breeze bring back the horrors of living through the storm. how do we make them feel safe again.  only time will tell how much damage this the tornado's really did, grannie

CHRISTMAS 2011

CHRISTMAS 2011 T'was the month of December and all through the state, The children of Alabama were worried, afraid Santa might be late. They had no stockings, no trees, or a wreath, Would Santa remember them in their grief? Would Santa come after the storm? Could Santa find them, in their temporary home? Does Santa deliver to fema trailers, motels, and shelters? The letters flew to the North Pole with haste. The elves all gathered around the big man himself, Santa they said it is all different this year How will we ever bring the kids Christmas cheer? Santa have you seen the letters from Alabama’s girls and boys. They need warm clothes, coats and hats They need stockings and decorations and all of that. They need homes with beds, blankets and sheets. So Santa how are we going to help with that? Santa just stood there without a care. Calm down my elves I have a plan You see my elves I have already been south I recruited some help this year I used my computer and word of mouth Fans of Face book will be helping this year The stockings, stars and balls are all ready For Christmas in Dixie this year. The blankets for bama babies will come this year From a group of my elves who don’t live here. But the elves still looked worried Santa they said how about the toys We can’t just send one when the kids lost so much The little ones have been so brave and strong When it seemed everything went wrong. Part of the plan St Nick laughed with glee I have some elves in Georgia working for free. Why one of them even looks like me! Grannie never forgot the boxes of candy and little rag dolls You elves sent so many years ago She named her page A Child's Candy Christmas And went straight to work They have gathered the toys and stored them away Waiting for the big day. Elves, we couldn’t do alone and neither can they It will take lots of help to give the kids a great day. My first stop will be to pick up cards from Letters of Hope To give each family to show we haven’t forgot Then I will load the toys people sent from far and near With help from people all over the world We will bring Christmas cheer Toomers for Tuscaloosa will help with the beds And get each child a place to rest their heads Cause when Santa needs help the world stands ready Toys and games we will have for each tot. My last stop for the night will be At Collette’s Cake Factory It is worth the trip south for one of those cake pops A strawberry rose for momma and a chocolate one for me. I will stay just long enough to take a peek as each little girl dons her hair bow And the boys wrestle under the tree. It might be different; some loved ones won’t be there But Christmas will come again this year. Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night Merry Christmas from l patterson Click here to Reply or Forward $799 Ireland Trip w/Air Ads – Why this ad? Fly RT and stay 6 nights in Ireland for $799.* www.travelzoo.com