3 years ago...

3 years ago a nasty, destructive storm rolled over the state of Iowa. In hours it crossed the whole state. Leaving devastation in areas scattered all over pockets of eastern Iowa. With winds in our area of 120 to 140 miles an hour.

Many learned a new term - derecho. One no one will forget. There are still skylines that are open and not as full as they were. This will not change for years

The pictures of our yard make my heart hurt and eyes tear up. Such a mess. Such a waste of materials just blow apart. So much mess.

I learned that we had friends who really cared. Even our kids stepped up to help start the clean up. I learned I can work hard and do more than I ever thought. I am more able to do than I thought.

The pile of salvaged lumber, kindling piles, new shelves, and even the still standing wall show that we came along way in under 4 months of clean up.

I'll do what needs done today - garden picking possibly farmers market. But in my mind I'll revisit those horrible memories of destruction in my head.

We, all in our area, made it through. It didn't hear us or break us. It hopefully made us stronger.