I'm a liberal pagan living in West, Texas. Yes. That West, Texas.

Thursday, April 18, 2013

I'M OK..

I've been home for a couple of hours..I'm exhausted..The blast was at the fertilizer plant and it's across town from where I live. Which is about 4 miles tops. But it destroyed: West Rest Haven where I did Jackie's Kitchen once a month, where my Granddaughter works with her mother who is the Activity Director. When it blew I was on the computer and it almost knocked me out of my chair..and I'm such an idiot..my first thought was "well, that little asshole North Korean does have a bomb." Then within minutes the phone rings and it's Anissa so hysterical I couldn't understand her so I told her to just come on..She and Inky show up with both birds..Willie the Cockatoo, and Fugley the Macaw. All the windows blew out of her house and glass was in the bird cages and they were freaking out..When she told me the fertilizer plant had blown up and that the nursing home had been damaged I said I'm going. She said not to go that the other one could blow at any time. I said "I'm going."..I drove straight down Reagan Street and passed a house on fire and then on the right I could see the Jr. High School was on fire and then I could see the apts which are directly across the street from the nursing home and it was almost a shell..I parked in my usual place and got my flashlight and leaving my keys in truck and purse too and went inside..I along with a bunch of other people were taking residents out in wheel chairs ...water every where, the ceiling had falling, beeping alarms, insulation knee deep in places..I was soaked from head to toe..water leaking from the sprinklers and plaster all over the place. Each room with windows caved in, furniture upside down, beds turned over. The dinning room was a jumble of chairs and tables . One of the nurses said the building just imploded..the roof went up and then came down and the windows blew in at the same time. I can't describe the carnage..Blood everywhere..sweet old people huddled in their wheel chairs, some with blood all over them and some just in shock. The amount of immediate help was wonderful to see..They got all the residents to the senior center for emergency help. We went through the building about 4-5 times to make sure we got everyone. It was bedlam at the Senior Center..so many emergency help, fire dept,police, ambulances and family members everywhere. Looking for their loved ones. The amount of help was just unbelievable..so many so fast.  I did what I could, which was passing out hugs and asking how they were. So many people I know and love..It was just heart breaking. I can't believe that I didn't break down and cry..me who cry's at Dr Pepper Commercials, kept my cool ..I stayed with as many as I could till their family got there. I think I got back home about 1 or so..don't remember. I have blisters all over my feet and my back and legs are killing me..But I am not bitching..I have my apt, my cat, I didn't lose any family members, but lost friends. The horrible part was we were all convinced that the mayor had been killed..He was supposed to be helping them put out the fire when the blast happened. They thought he was killed..Then I talk to my daughter in San Francisco and she tells me he was on TV giving a press conference. So I'm telling everyone, Muska's alive Muska's alive..But we know we lost people..and it's just too sad for words. People lost their homes, family members, pets, everything.......EVERYTHING.
Anissa watched her parents house burn to the ground while watching TV. The windows of Family Dollar were blown out. Czech Stop's ceiling was falling down. I know there was more, but can't think..I' m so tired..but don't want to go to sleep..don't think I can. Besides Dexter was locked in bedroom while I was gone and I'm afraid he'd attack me if I'm asleep..I'm afraid to check in all my shoes..surprise surprise..
Goddess bless my friends, my family my sweet little town of West, By Goddess, Texas.

44 comments:

FoxyMoron said...

I don't even know what to say.....I am so sorry this happened to you and your little town, I'm sure we all felt like we knew the Rest Haven residents when you worked there and used to post about it.
Again, so glad you and Dexter are okay, and I hope you get some sleep.
You should be very proud of you for what you did to help.

turquoisemoon said...

I have been so worried. I'm so glad you and yours are ok... Please keep us posted, when you can. Prayers to all...xoxox (oh and hug Dexter)

PENolan said...

So sorry you, your town and all the people you love are up to your blessed asses in this terrible, terrifying mess. My mom sent me a note in the night about the explosion (she's a follower of yours, you know).
Both of sending sending love and light - lots and lots of healing light your way.
Take care of yourself while you're baking all those cake balls.

jadedj said...

Oh man, JackieSue, I heard about the explosion, but didn't put together in my head that you are in the same area. It's good to know that you and yours are OK.

yellowdoggranny said...

foxy it was just so sad..now they are all scattered to the winds..all over Waco and other towns..thanks for all the prayes turquoise moon.
Bless your sweet mom's heart..love to you both Pen.
Mark you dumbshit..hahahaha..didn't you ever notice the comma between west and texas?well jadedj I'm ok, can't say the same for a lot of people..residents are know homeless and 60 people lost their homes and more..

Debra She Who Seeks said...

I'm so glad you and your family are safe, YDG! Dexter too! And of course you were right there to help evacuate the nursing home -- you are a hero! West and all its residents are in our thoughts and prayers today.

Anonymous said...

I'm glad you're ok.

Anonymous said...

I got a text at 5 am from "Me Online" who's lurked here a time or two that said "Big explosion in Jackie Sue's town. You might want to check on her." Of course, I didn't read it right away, but curiosity got me up and I hit CNN first and if course I should have known to check the blog first. I did google map it and discovered where the plant was and my heart sank because I knew your beloved residents were at risk.
Typical Jackie Sue running right into the eye of the storm.
I love you and I'm so, so, so, so glad you are okay! I'm so sorry for West's losses and my heart is with all who are grieving their lost loved ones. Big hugs to you all. Xoxoxo

sunshine said...

Came here via my husbands blog (Markd60), I am so sorry to hear what happened, glad you are o.k. and all the others that are also o.k. and able to help out. My heart and prayers are with those going through injuries and those losing family and friends. Take care and keep us posted, wish we could do something to help.

Anne Johnson said...

You did the Goddess Freya proud. She's well aware of your warrior spirit.

I saw the name of the town on the early news and burst into tears. It's two hours later now ... took my makeup to school and finally put it on. Couldn't trust myself not to cry until now.

Goddess bless your sweet little town that I feel like I know so well. And all the folks you've been so kind to at Rest Haven.

Unknown said...

We popped over from MarkD60 to say we are so sorry for you all. We will say a prayer for your town. Our thoughts are with your community.
Our sincere best wishes from across the pond.
Best wishes Molly

Daisy Deadhead said...

LOVE YOU! I bounded out of bed when my husband put on NPR and it mentioned the nursing home. It was a 2.1 on the Richter scale. I made a beeline to FB to check on you!!!! Sounds monstrous!~ please get checked (for what I don't know) for exposure to that chemical, whatever it is.

I knew you'd be there. (hugz for my Jackiesue)

Peggy said...

I've never been so happy to see your blog show up on my blog reader!! I've been thinking about you and West ever since I heard the news. Bless you for going to the nursing home to help! Take care of your feet!!! The injuries to them could be dangerous for you with your diabetes. We're keeping you and all the good folks of West in our thoughts.

Unknown said...

Grateful to hear that you're safe. So sad for all the wonderful people of West who have lost so much. Love to you and to your town.

Intense Guy said...

Good lord. This is the first I've heard of any of this.

I'm glad you are okay. I'm sure West, Texas needs you there to do what you can.

*stunned*

Intense Guy said...

http://gma.yahoo.com/plant-explosion-hurts-120-levels-homes-045222115--abc-news-topstories.html

Holy moly. I miss a day at work and I miss the news.

JAYNE FAGAN said...

I heard west, Texas and thought "by west, jsckiesue!" I'm so glad to hear you're ok

Travis Erwin said...

So glad you are well.

You were of course the first person I thought of when I heard the news.

Prairie Gothic said...

I'm so thankful to hear that you and your family are safe but as we've sadly learned we are always have scars from this type of tragedy. You are always but especially today a hero to me.

Prairie Gothic said...

I'm so glad that you and your family are safe though sadly we've learned we are not unscarred by tragedy. You have always been but especially today a hero of mine.

Richard said...

So deeply grateful you and yours are safe and well. So very very sad that so many are not.

Nancy Jane Moore said...

I'm so glad to hear you all were able to take care of the people in the nursing home. The news reports have been vague about whether those people were OK. I've spent a lot of time in nursing home visits over the past couple of years and I can't imagine how difficult it would be to take care of people in that situation.

Hooray for you and the others who helped.

Fundy Blue said...

Hi Jackiesue! I followed a link to your blog that Debra, She Who Seeks posted in her blog post this morning. I am so sorry that your town is going through this terrible disaster. I watched the news last night with great sorrow. The thing that upset me the most was hearing about the collapse of the nursing home ~ all those fragile, vulnerable people. Thank you for what you did last night with no thought to your own safety. And thank you for your compelling account on your blog. Please take care and know that I hold you and your community in my thoughts and prayers. I am sorry for your losses.

Elderlady said...

Found your blog this morning through a posting on "The World's Most Dangerous Beauty Salon".com. A lot more informative than any of "the media".

Know that our thoughts and prayers are with you, and all the people in West.

Stay safe. Get some rest. Be well.

Fundy Blue said...

Hi Jackiesue! I couldn't figure out how to follow your blog on your site, but I have you on my reading list and listed on my blog site. I'm sure I will enjoy your blog! :)

TexWisGirl said...

i came over from markd60's place today. i just want to say thank you for helping those dear folks at the nursing home. bless you for giving them comfort when they needed it most.

i live about 70 miles away from west in kaufman county. i heard the explosion last night - thought it was a weird thunder clap or perhaps a semi truck explosion. only later when i saw the breaking news reports did i realize...

truly devastating. i am so sorry for your community. the world hurts with you today...

Unknown said...

I am very happy you are alright. I am sorry for that devastation going. When my office heard about the blast the first thing we thought about was you because we have enjoyed your blog immensely. Please stay safe and our prayers are going out to everyone affected.

tsduff said...

Trust you to be in the middle of the help efforts... Jackie Sue you are an angel in so many ways. Sending prayers to you and your town.

Sal said...

I am so glad to hear you are safe. It is wonderful to see how people come together to help one another in such tragedy. Praying for the healing of many hearts and bodies as well as the community of West Texas.

BigAssBelle said...

What a terrible thing to experience. I am so sorry for you and your little town.

I spend a lot of time discouraged about the state of our country, wondering what happened to the US I remember from when I was a kid. But this, this thing ... "I'm going" ... that's it. That is the US I love. Bless you, dear, and your fellow Westians.

Anti Kate said...

Sent over by Anne at the Gods are Bored. Hurray for you and hurray for West, Texas.

Nit Wit said...

You'll have a big cry when the time is right.
So glad your OK but you better get your feet taken care of and rest. <3

MarkD60 said...

You are now officially a Hero.

Tricia said...

I just knew as soon as I heard about the explosion that you would head straight for the nursing home. You are such a wonderful and caring person. It sounds like there are many wonderful people in your town and that's just what West needs right now. Please do take care of your self. Soak those feet (and your body) in some Epsom salts if you can, it will do wonders! Get some rest too! Hopefully Dexter wasn't too scared by that blast and wasn't too mischievous while you were gone. Please take care! Hugs!

Sending prayers to you, your family and friends and the town of West.

Cheyenne said...

Wow...that's all I can say. Heard about it on TV, read about it on the Internet, but nothing compares to first-hand reports such as yours. Wow.

35jupe said...

We only know each other as co-commenters over at She Who Seeks, but I wanted to stop by and tell you how sorry I am. Please know my thoughts are with you and your town and my petitions to the goddess too.

Em

Ellen in Oregon said...

I was watching the news when they showed the explosion and then a map of your town. I focused on the nursing home and was horrified at the potential for fatalities. I feel for the firemen and the people in the houses too, but I was horrified at the thought of elderly people meeting such a frightening and chaotic death. So, I was relieved to read your personal account & know that the nursing home escaped being wiped off the map. I cannot thank you enough for your help rescuing the residents and getting them to safety. You are brave & courageous and I do not say that lightly.
I have been a the first to arrive at a couple of bad car accidents & you do just suck it all up & do what you need to do without hesitation. You will cry later and have some mental shutdown in the days & weeks that follow, but you will OK. I am sure you are in a state if shock today and it takes a long time for the mind to process what you have seen & will hear as the death & injury of your neighbors is accounted for. It is bad where you live, but you & your town will recover and be a stronger community than you were before last night.
Stay strong & take some care of yourself too. Be assured that Americans all over the Country has you in their thoughts & prayers as do many people all over the World.
Thank you for posting so we know how you are all doing. People care.

Laurent said...

So glad to hear you are well. I was listening to the international news from Europe and they were saying that the City of West might have to be evacuated because of toxic fumes. Hope it does not come to that.
Will and I are so sorry to hear what has happened to the old folks home, we got to know so many people there thanks to you and your good work.

Thank you for keeping us informed. Please take care. All best wishes to you.

Anonymous said...

I'm so sorry for all the residents and families of residents of West, Texas. You are amazing and brave - you all are. Prayers for your lovely town.

Elizabeth A. said...

May all the love you shared to those poor frightened injured people come back to you a thousand fold. Sending SO many hugs and kisses your way.

Willym said...

Through you I've gotten to know West and so many of the people there - I almost feel like they are old friends. I've been watching and reporting all day and find the sense of community and caring that has been demonstrated overwhelming. You are special and so are so many of the people there. Big hugs and prayers your way.

Karen said...

I just realized today that you live in the town of West!!! I am thankful that you are okay. Bless you for going & helping the seniors at the residence. Stay safe & be well.
XOXO

MsBelinda said...

I was reading "Living Out Here" blog and heard you were from West, Texas.

I am so sorry about what has happened to your wonderful little town and community.

I am so proud of you for going to the nursing home and helping all those senior citizens when they needed you the most.

You are a hero in my book. May God bless you and your little town!

TheWayfarer said...

OMHfG!!!
Heard about this on Leykis 20 min. Ago, so glad to know you are safe & sound...WAAAAY too close for comfort!
Cordite=vicious shit.
*hugs, sobs*
Just glad you're OK