Hunter's sweet grandfather went with us to Tuscaloosa, and I was lucky enough to be his date to the football game. He has great seats, and I was so excited to go with him!
This was the first time we have been back in Tuscaloosa since last football season, so it was obviously our first time to see the devastation from the tornadoes that destroyed so much of our beloved town back in April. We took back roads from Birmingham, through McCalla, then Holt, and we came in behind the softball field at the university. So we never saw the damage in the heart of Tuscaloosa, but we did see the aftermath in Holt. Gut-wrenching does not even begin to describe what we saw. It looked like a complete war zone- forests destroyed, nothing but foundations left on properties, and remnants of trailers were scattered. I counted three separate vehicles that had been picked up and slammed into the side of a ravine or thrown into broken trees. It was absolutely horrifying to see the effects of those tornadoes, and I can't even begin to imagine what those people must have gone through in those short minutes that were likely the most terrifying moments of their lives.
I had no idea that it was possible to get chill bumps standing up at a football game in 90-something degree weather, but believe me, it is. Before the game kicked off, they played a tribute to those who were affected by the devastating tornadoes that ripped through our state that day, followed by a moment of silence. You could hear a pin drop in that stadium. It was so touching, and such a great reminder that even though life is going on- school is back in session, football is back in full swing- that there are still so many people that are trying to manage their new lives- without family, without loved ones, without a home, and without personal belongings, and we should never forget that. God bless those that are hurting, and may they continue to find peace and comfort and support in the days ahead of them.
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