Today my calm existence came to an abrupt end.

I've never really thought of this blog as a diary, and I certainly have never used it as such (other than the occasional travel post), but based on today's events, as well as Ru's suggestion, I will be doing so now.

Today my nightmare has come true. As some of you may know, I travel a lot for my job. I have been fortunate enough to travel overseas, and I've been to most of the major markets in the US in the past two years alone. One of the hazards of being gone so much is the worry that comes from being away from home when bad weather or other potential disasters can occur. This summer has been a wild one in Chicago with respect to weather. We've had a string a weeks where there were thunderstorms almost every night. This week has been no exception. It was only a few short weeks ago when my home was almost hit by a tornado in the south suburbs. Today the ante has been upped.

I'm currently sitting in the Ft. Lauderdale airport waiting for clearance from air traffic control to clear us for the return flight to Chicago. While waiting, I received a call from Elemental (the husband) telling me that the tornado sirens had started going off in St. Charles, the suburb that is next to West Chicago, where he works. I told him to grab his cell phone and get to shelter, and when this thing blows over he should call me back and let me know. About a half hour later, I received a return call from him saying that the tornado has hit his building and he's ok, but he thinks his shoulder is dislocated. He doesn't know what has happened, but he thinks people are buried under the rubble of the building. The EMTs were on site and he was going to be transported to the hospital. He keeps telling me to remain calm because he's ok. I keep asking if this is some sort of joke (incidentally, this is the type of "joke" I would be famous for. As of today, that will be stopping.) He says this is not a joke; he will keep me posted on what's going on when he knows more or is transported to the hospital.

There is nothing worse than having something like this happen when you're on the road. I cannot even begin to explain the powerlessness I feel knowing that I cannot be there in the time when he needs me. I have been blessed with some very kind people at the airport who have been supportive as I have called Ru, my coworkers, my parents and others to inform them of the situation. To say that I've not had control of my emotions is an understatement. Fortunately, I've had a nice gentleman get me kleenex to dry my tears and a nice nun from a missionary literally hug me as I collapsed in a fit of hysterical crying. Many others have been giving me sympathetic nods and other small and noninvasive signs of support. Ru, who is scheduled for sainthood, is on her way to the hospital to be with him now. But I still keep thinking (rather irrationally, I know), that if I was there, I could do something. Intellectually, I know this is not true. At any rate, here I sit, feeling very scared, powerless, anxious and tired, waiting to go home. I don't wish this on anyone.

For those who read my last post about the tornado and thought that it would never happen to them, please listen to my second warning--it can. Please, put together a plan for disasters. Please, put together a means to communicate with one another should something happen. Please keep my husband in your prayers. I hope to be out of this humid hell soon. Until then, I fight for calm.

I'll post an update when I know more.

Update:

I will get out of here tonight, but I'm not sure when now. I've switched from American to Southwest, and I appear to be able to get out of here once this next wave passes. E has a broken shoulder. He's in pain, but taking the pain medicine well. Ah, the miracles of Vicodin.