Tornados... In January?

So the weather in the Midwest here has surprised everyone again. More than one TORNADO yesterday.

I'm informed late last night via an answering machine message from my mother that one of my favorite places in the whole world, Edward's Apple Orchard in/just outside Poplar Grove, IL was hit by one of these tornados. It was heartbreaking to hear.

Their apple barn was hit pretty hard apparently, along with the house of the owners (on the same property). Fortunately, the actual orchard is pretty untouched. The trees seem to have withstood the winds.

I'm 29 and it's making me cry. It's not just a "childhood" thing either. I love to go there with my children. I love to go there for my birthday (in September). We were just there last fall.

It's a beautiful place. I feel like I've grown up alongside it. I remember going there when I was much younger and they had just a few things around. Until yesterday, during season, they had a mini farm zoo with goats you could feed and pet, chickens, pigs, all sorts of farm animals, they had a nifty fence maze (that I never skip going through), wooden "playground" equipment: a train big enough for adults to climb into, a giant boat with more that one level, even a playhouse (I have pictures of my kids in most of these.), horse-drawn carriage rides, pony rides. They had a huge "barn" that was really a "country store" with crafts, homemade treats of all sorts, and apples, apples, APPLES GALORE. Let's just say that the entire place is filled with the scent of FRESH, WARM APPLE DONUTS. In the apple area of the barn, they let you sample many of the different varieties they grow. They usually had live music on the weekends. Outdoor tents with baked potatoes that you can get topped with whatever toppings you wanted. A huge "storage shed" that's really an indoor concession stand and seating. It's an amazing place.

Every time I go, I feel like a kid again. It makes me feel like there's nothing wrong with the world.

Thankfully, the human spirit cannot be broken by a bit of bad weather. I am heartened to hear that the owners have already said they will rebuild and will be open again this coming fall. It won't be the same, of course, but I'm so happy to hear they are not just shutting the doors forever.

Despite the situation, the owners are still aware that it has been their community that has put them on the map. The husband, Ken Hall, is quoted (by the Rockford Register Star) as saying, "We’re more concerned about our neighbors. We don’t want all the attention coming our way because they’re struggling, too". Here these people have lost their livelyhood and had their home ripped apart and they want to make sure their neighbors are helped, too. It's amazing to me, in this day and age of coffee-burn lawsuits, that there really are people out there who do give a crap about others.

Thank you, Ken Hall, for reminding me that even in a person's darkest hour, they can shed light on someone else. I hope I will remember that the next time I have a struggle that I think I cannot bear anymore. And I am very happy that no one was injured. Mrs. Hall was in her office in her home when the tornado hit- that part of the house. I'm selfishly happy to think that they can rebuild without having to be reminded that they lost someone when the damage happened.

My heart and thoughts go out to all the families who have been affected by these storms. I hope you can all recover.