Scott, Susan and their children had just left the house to take their daughters, ages 12 and 5 to gymnastics, and their 16 year old son was leaving with a friend to go get something to eat. That is a day they will never forget. It started out as a normal, hectic day, with work and then rushing around to take the children to their activities. They never thought that they would not have a home to return too at the end of that long, busy day.

As the girls were at gymnastics a thunderstorm rolled through the city very briefly. There was a quick, strong gust of winds, and of course the heavy rainfall that sounded like bricks being thrown at the building. The girls finished their class, and they proceeded home. When approaching their home, there were numerous fire trucks, police cars, and even news teams. The family just thought that there must of been a very bad accident, because they lived on a busy state route, and accidents were quite common. As they grew closer and closer to their home, the road was blocked off, and the family could see that the fire truck was in front of their home.

They found a place to park, and tried to walk up, but were told that there was a major gas leak and even there was one spark everything would go up in flames. Scott and Susan called for family to pick up the girls and when they made it through all of the people that were standing around, their hearts broke. Their home was demolished by a 400 year old, 12-15 ton Oak tree that stood over 100 feet tall. The cause they were told was a micro burst. They were not allowed near the home, because it was unsafe structurally. Later, they would find out that they had lost everything. The kids only had the clothes on their backs, and no toys to play with.

 The one thing that means the most they didn't lose and that is EACH OTHER. The Insurance company failed to pay for any of the lost contents, so the family had to re-purchase everything in the home on their own. Legal action has been taken against the Insurance company at this time.

Story by Susan Wood
(This story means a lot to me because this is my home)