The deep-rooted things. And the people and trees young enough to bend. The old things stabilize the ground for the young and flexible, and together they pick up the pieces. A few miles north of Nashville London, 10, inspects the damage at the home of her great-grandfather, David Young Sr., 90, following the deadly Tennessee tornados of March 3, in hard hit Donelson.
They don’t make houses like they used to
London and close family friend Frances Washburn look at generations of children’s growth marks on the kitchen door jam. The house was cracked. In some parts severely, but not beyond repair. Still it is severe enough.
The surrounding neighborhood was hard hit. Some lost a lot.
London’s mother, Brittainy KolembaJones, wrote in a text message about the house and her grandfather, David Young Sr., saying: “Built in 1870 and 1931 respectfully ; ) (sic) they don’t make them like they used to. Suffered some damage but could have been much worse.”
Indeed things could have been worse, David said. He said he was blessed to have come through the storm without injury.
It isn’t a competition for who suffers more. Everyone suffers in a storm. Still David is grateful to have come through unharmed. The tornado that killed several dozen people in its more than 50 mile swath of destruction tore into his family home blowing out doors and tearing off porches and chimneys, crushing the roof above where he was taking refuge but not collapsing on him.
There is a lot of history with this house.
There is a lot of history with this family. But for the children they are just happy their family is ok.
