I’ve covered lots of tragedies during my years as a reporter: Fires, earthquakes, gas explosions, shootings, hostage situations, bombings and tornadoes to name a few. Something struck me the other day when I was talking to families in Garland who lost their homes to the tornado. Every person whose life is in danger has the same prayer, “God, take the house, but spare my family.” When I talked to families who lost their cars and homes in Garland, they said they huddled in their bathroom, or laundry room, held hands and prayed for their safety. The “stuff” didn’t matter to them at that point, and the “stuff” they lost didn’t matter to them afterward. They said “stuff” can be replaced. Their families, pets and neighbors were safe, and that’s all that really mattered. They have a whole new perspective, and I like it. The stuff we spend so much time coveting really doesn’t mean anything when your life literally flashes before your eyes.
