My Son Will Never Be a Stormchaser

We have had a rough several weeks in our house. And when I say rough, I mean really rough.

About a month ago here in Atlanta, there were some pretty bad storms. The day was already not going well. I took all three kids to Costco about two hours before they had their first mock swim meet.

After acting like crazy kids in Costco, we ran out to the car to get ourselves to the swim meet. The car was dead. It wouldn’t start at all. Back inside Costco. We had to wait for my husband to come and rescue us.

While waiting for our rescue, a massive lightning storm came through. It was brief but very similar to a July 4th spectacle. The sky lit up for about ten minutes and then it was over. The rain had come and left as well.

My husband quickly followed. As we all piled into the car, he said that he didn’t think it was a good idea because it still didn’t look that great outside. I insisted we at least stop by to see if it was called off or not. I felt bad skipping the practice meet it plus the kids really wanted to go at least I think they did.

We get to the mock swim meet and I swear we were the last people there. Everyone was there and already warmed up for practice. The sky still looked a little ominous but another parent assured me that they would call it off if it looked really bad.

We sent our kids over to get ready to participate. My husband and I were sitting at one of the tables surrounding the pool. All of sudden, I had a horrible feeling and said, “I think we should leave. Let’s get the kids and go. Now.” He looked at me, I am positive to see if I was serious because I had been so adamant about going.

All of sudden a strong wind came out of nowhere along with in every direction. It got so dark. Kids were running and screaming to the open air clubhouse. We huddled in there together. About 40-45 people. All of the kids were shaken and several (including mine) were crying.

It was about ten minutes before the wind and rain started to die down a little. It was still raining but at this point it was just coming straight down. A few parents decided to brave it and head out to get their cars so they get kids home. They headed off to the parking lot.

Soon after, there was flash of lightning, a snap and then a horrible cracking sound. I swear I heard glass breaking. It was so loud. This got all of the kids riled up again.

I ran out into the parking lot and saw total chaos. A huge tree had been struck by lightning and was split in half. It took down power lines and totaled a few cars as well.

The tree even went through the passenger compartment of a minivan. See the blue minivan in the picture above, on the right? The mother was strapping her week old newborn baby in the back of the van when that happened. She was so lucky.

No one was hurt. It really was a miracle. Truly.

Several cars suffered some serious damage. Our car was spared by an inch. ONE INCH. We had to move trees to get out of there.

I have never seen my kids so shaken. So upset. So completely unhinged.

I have terrible guilt because I feel like I put them in harms way. I didn’t listen to my gut. My instinct said don’t go but the people pleaser in me said, “We should show up. The kids are part of a team.”

I didn’t listen to my husband who said this just doesn’t look good.

My son is suffering the most. He has had nightmares. He also obsessively checks the weather. Several times day. And reports back to me. Several times a day.

He is now a chronic worrier. If the sky even looks remotely dark, he refuses to leave the house. He also doesn’t want anyone else to either. He has called me when I am out if it has started raining. Just to make sure that I am not outside in the rain somewhere.

He has mixed up sunset with dark or cloudy skies and upset himself several times in the process. It has been a month and he is not getting over this.

I am at a loss. I feel so awful about this. And I don’t know what to do.

Is this something that kids get over? Do they outgrow this kind of fear?

For now, my son sleeps with a flashlight every night. In case of emergency. In case of inclement weather. He obsessively checks the batteries to make sure that he is always covered.

Man I love that kid. I am so not worthy sometimes.

Some days I feel like a total failure at this parenting thing.

Other days, I pick myself up and tell myself, “My son will never be a stormchaser.”

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