STORM CRAWLS THROUGH IOWA

Des Moines KCCI News posted this photo of a shelf cloud over Iowa yesterday...

A drone photo of a tornado's destructive path through Greenfield, Iowa, causing several fatalities.

Greenfield, Iowa

Our local schools closed early due to the weather conditions forecast.  This was the first time ever that schools closed and evening activities were canceled due to a summer storm.  Usually schools close because of snow storms.  

Where we live, we were spared, although sirens and warnings went off.  We got maybe 2-3 inches of rain, some wind, but nothing destructive.  

Mother Nature has her way of reminding us just how fragile our lives are.  It doesn't matter what we have, how important we think we are, or any of the other human hooplah.  We're all at Her mercy.  When I look at the above picture, I think how many lives were affected, how life will never be the same for some.  In a matter of seconds, their homes are gone.  Seems these tragic events are happening almost daily in one place or another.  

This morning the sun is shining and cotton candy skies have returned.  A beautiful breeze has the tree branches dancing as if yesterday never happened.  That's where gratitude comes into play.  Those of us who were spared must be grateful that our homes are intact and we are safe and well.