Toy-nados
I’m still feeling quite stressed, so thought I’d share a random memory today since it’s a memory that makes me smile. So, here goes!
I was three or four years old when I first learned about the devastation of toy-nadoes. It seems that one of them ripped through some town somewhere I’d never been – and had never even heard of – leaving so many children without toys and clothes.
After the toy-nado hit, my parents placed a massive box in the middle of the living room and asked me and my sisters to fill it up with our toys so that they could be sent to replace the ones that this terrible thing stole from those innocent children. I remember standing there with my beloved toys (so beloved that I can’t quite recall what they were now) and crying because I wanted to keep all of my toys.
But it was explained to me that those other children don’t have any toys now and that it would be very nice for me to share mine. After all, if all of my toys were taken away, I’d want someone to share theirs with me, right? Of course, as a young child, it took a bit of time for me to overcome the trauma of having to part with my toys – even the ones I never played with.
I don’t know how old I was when I finally realised that it wasn’t a “toy”-nado, but rather this awful thing called a tornado. I just know that the lesson I learned as a small child was that we must share with others and that we must help those who need our help.
[Photo is of me with my newest toy, a sock monkey I made this spring called Red 42. Maybe he’ll find his way to the arms of a child who needs a toy one of these days!]
I’m not sure if you realize, but the area hit by the tornado was a lower-enlisted housing area south of Quantico. And, not only did you girls donate some of your toys, but we gave them clothing, including extra winter coats that you girls had. It was a rare winter tornado, so the winter coats were much needed.
I didn’t really know where it was, but I do recall you and Daddy packing up clothing, too. And maybe blankets? I can’t remember for sure.
I do remember hiding my Pink Panther stuffed toy though because I was afraid he might get put in the box. And I’m pleased to say that, though in storage, he’s still safely mine!