Damaged but Blessed

As I walked around my yard taking pictures for the insurance company, it occured to me that even though it was a good bit of damage, probably $3,000-4,000 worth of damage, that I was truly blessed. We were safe, my animals were safe and I still had a home and vehicles. I really think we may have had a small tornado come over our home, because all the neighbors houses are fine and nothing down in their yards, except for a picnic table turned upside down.

Everything that was damaged or destroyed was totally replaceable or repairable. Unlike many of those wiped out by Katrina and Rita, I still had a warm place to lay my head and for that I am truly thankful.

I do have a tiny inkling of how some of those devastated by the hurricanes and floods feel though, because you just don't know where to begin, what to fix, what to replace and what to just let go of.

Our kids are most devastated over our trampoline just dissappearing and the expensive playground set was crumpled on the ground and broken. Mine and my husband's was the hole in our roof, leaking into our bedroom closet and in our kitchen and the fact that two of our three decks no longer had sides on them and our awning was completely destroyed (which probably also caused the holes in the roof). Then as our luck would have it, our hot water heater went out this morning.

I spent most of the day yesterday getting prices and quotes for the adjuster when he comes. My best friend is in the insurance business and I can only imagine the phone calls they have been getting over this.

My friend B had some trees down and lost electricity but I am so glad to hear that they are all safe and sound. I was so worried about them staying to weather the storm.

You know, I love to spend money, when I have it and I love having nice things and I am a shoe fanatic, but when it all comes down to it, I 'm not materialistic- my most treasured, most precious possessions are my husband, children, parents, siblings and friends. If I left this world tomorrow, I just hope that they all know how much I love them and treasure their love. That, I can keep with me always and it is priceless.