Last night was a rough one here in Texas. We had an outbreak of tornadoes south east of Dallas, one of which has been initially categorized as an EF4-EF5. If you remember in the movie Twister, an EF5 was called “the finger of God.” This area of Texas is rural and quaint- no sky scraper downtowns or bustling city centers. Just small town Texas folks, doing what they do. These tornadoes were devastating and although the death count stands at 5, now that daylight is here and first responders can better assess, search and rescue, the fear is that number will go up. Please pray for those in the path of these storms. 
On the positive side, as always, Texans come together in our time of need. Before the storms were even over, people began to gather essentials to help with clean up and rescue. Donation stations were set up on the perimeter of the affected area. Baby wipes, bottled water, packaged snacks, towels, clothing, diapers, gloves- and so much more began to arrive. Every thread on Facebook about the damage had comments where people were praying for complete strangers, relaying messages for loved ones, disseminating critical information. This is why I love Texas. I may not be a native, but I sure am proud to be a Texan. Thursday marked the 20th anniversary of my arrival here. It has always felt more like home to me than anywhere else. Neighbors helping neighbors. Strangers helping strangers, and in Texas, no one is a stranger for long. Our state motto is Friendship. Our unofficial, and better known motto is Don’t Mess With Texas. We mean it. Not even Mother Nature can bring us down.  

“Texas has yet to learn submission to any oppression, come from what source it may.” -Sam Houston

“I have said that Texas is a state of mind, but I think it is more than that. It is a mystique closely approximating a religion. And this is true to the extent that people either passionately love Texas or passionately hate it and, as in other religions, few people dare to inspect it for fear of losing their bearings in mystery or paradox. But I think there will be little quarrel with my feeling that Texas is one thing. For all its enormous range of space, climate, and physical appearance, and for all the internal squabbles, contentions, and strivings, Texas has a tight cohesiveness perhaps stronger than any other section of America. Rich, poor, Panhandle, Gulf, city, country, Texas is the obsession, the proper study and the passionate possession of all Texans.”
John Steinbeck, Author 1962.