My Home is Tuscaloosa

It's been a month and a few days now since that awful day of April 27 when a tornado slashed the city of Tuscaloosa from one end to the other.  43 lives were lost, hundreds more injured. Scores of homes and businesses damaged or totally destroyed.  This day will not ever be forgotten.  Last night our city held a candlelight vigil in memory of those lost in the storm.   I was not privileged to attend but I have seen photos of the event and it looks like an awesome experience.  We have a top notch mayor in Walt Maddox and he is truly a fine leader who cares about our city.
I first moved to Tuscaloosa from the small of town of Fayette, Alabama in the summer of 1966. We moved because my dad and another gentleman bought a Jerry's restaurant franchise. We lived in the Cherrydale neighborhood south of Hargrove Road and my sister and I attended elementary school at University Place.  She was in the first grade and I was in the 4th grade.  When it was time for me to switch schools in 7th grade I went to Eastwood Junior High School.  We moved away in the fall of 1970 just as I was beginning the 8th grade.  Years away from Tuscaloosa did not make me forget this wonderful town.  I came back to attend the University of Alabama after attending two other colleges.  I graduated with a Bachelor's degree in History, went to graduate school and obtained a Masters in Library Studies.  I started working at the University of Alabama library in the fall of 1984.  I worked there for 25 years until I retired in June 2009.  Tuscaloosa has been my home for more than half of my life and even when we lived in Fayette we came to Tuscaloosa to shop quite frequently.  When I was old enough to understand what was going on in the sports world, I chose to root for the Alabama Crimson Tide because they were doing better than Auburn at the time.  Joe Namath was the quarterback and he was no. 12.  I was born on 12/12.  Guess what my favorite number is?  Of course!  It's 12!  Yes, I am looking forward to 12/12/2012.  That year I will be 56 years old and I was born in 1956.  So strange isn't it?
Anyway, I digress.  Back to Tuscaloosa.  I have seen this city grow so much in the span of my lifetime.  I remember the building of McFarland Mall and the building of University Mall.  I remember when there was nothing but grass where McFarland Boulevard is now.  My apologies to those who are reading who know nothing about Tuscaloosa.  It's just that I have so memories built up in this town and so many precious friends and neighbors that I care about.  It's so hard to describe what Tuscaloosa means to me and how sad I am to see the devastation caused by this behemoth of nature that roared through this city on April 27.
My friend Rachel Remenih graciously agreed to let me post some pictures that she took of the devastation here since I have not been able to get out and get pictures taken. Here they are.  It truly takes your breath away.

I can't tell you anything about these pictures since I didn't take them but they give some idea of the destruction that is rampant here.  Pictures don't do the damage justice.  You have to see it and then you still don't comprehend.  So many people are without jobs, homes, favorite stores, restaurants, etc.  A way of life has ended here.  We now have what is called a "new normal".  I hate that phrase but it's the only way we can describe the day to day existence in Tuscaloosa now.  Many of us were spared the loss of our homes and family members or friends, but we are still affected.  We may know someone who experienced that loss or losses.  We can't shop at Hobby Lobby right now or eat at Full Moon Barbeque because they are gone. Big Lots is leveled.  Forest Lake looks like a war zone. The lake is still there but nothing looks the same.
When I read or hear anything about the tornado, the devastation, the people that have been affected by this tragedy, I immediately start crying. It's an instantaneous reaction.  There is nothing I can do to stop it.  I have a hard time believing that I live in a federal disaster area. But that is the new reality.  Removal of debris has begun and repair has started on damaged homes.  But it will be a very long time before we are built back up.  But we will be better and bigger. Hopefully prepared for the next time this happens, but Lord willing, it never will.  My home is Tuscaloosa.  My heart belongs to Tuscaloosa. My faith is in the God of this city, Tuscaloosa. God Bless Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA.