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BARNESVILLE - It's hard to believe that ten years have gone by since the tornado came through Barnesville that night. Lives were lost. Lives were changed. And life has gone on during this time.

A drive down Hwy 18 where the tornado came through shows a new house, a new business, upgrades at the farm, and empty lots.

A drive down Hwy 341 shows a house, a church, and a gas station that have been rebuilt.

A walk down Grove Street shows trees with some twists in them and broken branches that still show the damage from that night, but the trees have continued to grow. In some places, there is no sign of the devastation from that night unless you look for a grass covered lot or a driveway that no longer has a home.

New homes, new roofs, and new carports tell the tale of neighbors who have rebuilt and continued their lives where they left off. Some have chosen to move elsewhere and begin anew.

April 28, 2011 only tells part of the story. All along the path of the tornado is a ten year story that tells how these survivors have become an inspiration to others and are living life to the fullest where they are at today.

The Pattens

Melissa Patten, her brother, and her Dad were living on Grove Street across from the Gunters on the night of the tornado. All that was left of their house was the areas where they were hiding where the bathrooms were and a built in desk with a wall shelf in a bedroom.

Over half of their house was gone, but Melissa said that they came out of the house with no scratches. They and their dog went over to a neighbor’s house after the storm hit.

They had to make the decision on whether to build again or move. Today, their property stands vacant with just a driveway with a basketball goal and the foundation of the house. “We found a home about three miles away that we love,” Melissa said.

“It’s amazing how you can go through a tough time like that and look how we came out! We kept on going and did not give up!” she said.

These days, she keeps in touch with friends and family when storms come. She checks to make sure that others are ok, and she lets them know that she and her family are ok too.

The Gunters

Chloe was only 8 when this tornado hit Grove Street. She lost her parents, Paul and Ellen Gunter, that night. Her brother Marty and his wife Patti became her guardians. Ten years later, she is all grown up and just a month from high school graduation.

Patti Gunter spoke with Pike County Times and gave her reflection on this time. "We have been incredibly blessed since the tornado, watching Chloe grow up before our eyes. We have had ups and downs as a family of course but everything has been worthwhile."

After the storm, they moved into a house away from Grove Street for a period of time rather than rebuilding, but they are now in their forever home.

"We hope we are an inspiration to others to not quit and to not give up. Even if you are going through a hard time it will not last forever. Keep your eyes on Jesus through it all and He will guide you through the hard times too."

"Chloe will graduate in May and will move to Missouri to go to college during the summer," she said. "We are excited to see what her future holds."

Closing

Time moves a LOT slower during times of bad weather these days. Friends, family, and neighbors text and call each other before the storm to make sure that everyone is aware of the weather conditions. And many times, friends, family, and neighbors are talking and texting through the storm as well as letting loved ones know that they are ok after the storm has passed through.

Barnesville Church of the Nazarene has opened up its basement to those in the community who do not have a basement more than once over the past ten years because this community takes care of each other and sharing a safe space during bad weather is one way to take care of others. It was a privilege to open up the doors for several months to help storm victims get back on their feet in 2011.

Teams have gone out locally, across the state, and even to other states to help with cleanup efforts after tornadoes and hurricanes because people here know what it is like to have loved ones and all you own gone in the blink of an eye. Love has been shown in many ways from donations of money, food, clothes, gloves, and clean up items to a labor of love with chainsaws and general cleanup.

Sending love through donations to other communities that have been affected by tornadoes is another way to show that we care. People in this and in neighboring communities have worked together to take care of others because it is a privilege to bless others the way that blessings poured into Barnesville after the storm.

Keeping an eye on the sky when there is a chance of turbulent weather is just something that we do now. And friends, family, and neighbors don't blink an eye at calling in the middle of the night if a storm is coming. Of course, the same goes for making sure that everyone is ok after the storm.

Nerves are a little frayed around storms these days, but the Barnesville and Lamar County community is stronger than ever after weathering this storm. Take a moment and think about the things that have become normal around tornado weather since 2011. It's been ten years, and there is a whole lot of love in those phone calls and text messages around the storm!

Here is to remembering Paul and Ellen Gunter and their family and all who weathered this storm. You are stronger than you ever realized, and you're an inspiration to others to others who go through storms to pick up the pieces and keep on going!

Click here to read about the storm from 2011.

Click here to read, "Nazarene Youth Group Finds Hope in the Midst of the Rubble" from 2011.

Click here to read, "The Healing Continues" from 2012.