The house stood there long before the highway cut the farm in half and made working the land impractical. Acreage stretched out in all directions where now there is a Sheetz gas station, a McDonalds and soon a housing development that will double the community's population. It was sold by the original owners and then sold again to a development company in New York. It remained empty for the last 30 years until Avery (who was then calling himself Jose) came to stay on the land four years ago. He told me when he first came to the area that inside the house, up in the attic was written: "This has been and always will be a place of peace." "It is," he said, "a sanctuary." Later, he found more words, behind some wallpaper, "The storm is coming." A tornado hit the area last fall, skipping over the more populated sections of the community, but hitting the farm and house hard enough to have the property condemned. The tornado collapsed the roof of the barn where Avery lived with his dogs. He moved into the house then - something he hadn't done in 15 years. With the condemnation of the property, he is back in a tent, allowed to remain on the land there until the development company decides differently - or until he decides it is finally time to move on. "Everywhere I've lived I've always thought was the best place," he told me, "but I think this place truly is." He admits to having problems that require medication, but he is also happy with his life. He is saddened, however, that now the sanctuary is closed.
I'm a veteran "hard-core" tornado chaser. If you've ever seen any of those tornado-chasing special on television...you might have seen me. This evening (2-22) I did a google search under "tornado photos" and this is how I managed to surf into your site and story. Unless I looked right...I didn't see where in the country this story takes place. I would appreciate knowing this. What a tale you've told and shown. I can relate 110%, as the beloved Nebraska farmhouse where my aunt, uncle and cousins lived...and where I had the best annual memories of my entire life..finally was abandoned last year. Elderly....my aunt and uncle felt it best to "move into town"..where medical facilities were closer. The home is scheduled to be bulldozed this spring...to make room for one of those circular pivot-irrigators. Ohhhh....I can relate to your story entirely. I guess all good things must come to and end in this life.... It sure can hurt deeply, can't it. Thanks for sharing it all.....Joel