when duty calls

720-200_20110427-GOESVIS

photo courtesy of the NOAA

This is the storm that swept across our state on Wednesday, producing multiple tornadoes including one that devastated the city of Tuscaloosa. Several hours later it skipped over our little town. In fact, Caleb and I stood on the back porch and watched the discolored mass of clouds, threaded through with strings of lightening like blinking Christmas lights, swirl right over us. It was eerily calm. The kind of calm that sends icy fingers of terror creeping up your spine.

In the aftermath, we had a few bent trees, but no damage. Many others were not so fortunate. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those effected by the tornadoes across the South. The loss of life, property destruction, and general devastation around Alabama is horrific. Yesterday we heard news that 2000 troops would be mobilizing to help with relief efforts, and last night around 10:30 we found out Caleb’s unit was to be part of those 2000.

We didn’t have any details. Didn’t know where he’d be going. What he’d be doing. How long he’d be gone. And neither of us could speculate about why they’d mobilize an EOD unit, practically fresh off the plane. All we knew was that he needed to report the next morning. In the National Guard, when you’re called up, you go. With or without knowing the details.

I spent a restless night. Uncertainty and I don’t get along so well. You’d think I’d be used to it by now.

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