In the midst of the storm

As a child I was taught to be deathly afraid of thunderstorms. I thought all thunderstorms brought tornado's. This fear came down the line from my Grandma (my mom's mom). Every time there was severe weather my Grandma would call and off we would rush to her house. (she had a bomb shelter out back) A a child this was kind of fun because all of my cousins would be there too.But to put this family fear in perspective my older cousin Chad was so afraid he would often throw up. One night I remember I had the chicken pox, there was a storm in the middle of the night and we drove in the rain to my Grandma's. When we all hopped out of the car my Dad shut my fingers in the car door. That is one storm I will never forget. Of all the times we went to Grandma's in a panic there was never once an actual tornado. Now that I think about it there may not have even been one in our vicinity, but my Dad took us anyway I think to make my Grandma and Mom feel better.
As an adult I have struggled to overcome the fear of storms because I don't want to pass it on to my children. I thought I had done a good job of this, but last night all those fears came rushing back.
Claire and I were at home and Morgan was at her Noni's house when my Mom called. Mom said we were going to have hail and bad weather and to watch the news. I ignored her good advice and kept on surfing the net. Then to my shock the sirens started sounding...it wasn't even raining? Caleb called as I was turning on the T.V. and he said he thought there was a tornado on Bell street. I was in a panic, I did not know what to do. I kept saying what do I do, as I carried Claire around the house in circles...(kinda funny I know) I said I should have gone to your mom's house (she has a basement and Morgan was there, I'm so glad she didn't see me like this!) He said GO there is time. So I ran out the door and headed to Noni's with the dogs in tow. I left the front door unlocked, and the T.V. on. I drove 50 mph down 15th street and even ran a red light. The sky was churning and the sirens were blaring. I was so scared I just kept praying the whole way.
As it turned out there was no tornado after all and all that panic was for nothing just as in my childhood days. I did learn something though. I am unprepared for an emergency and I need a plan. So I will buy a first aid kit and a flashlight and I will keep it in our interior bathroom just in case. And next time I can assure you I will turn off the computer and turn on the T.V.!