Moore, Okla. - "We're all here, that's all that matters"

I had just gotten back from a quick vacation back to Kentucky and was lounging on my day off when I got the call from my editor. "How quickly can you be ready to fly to Oklahoma?" So after a quick conversation and scrambling to get ready I was on my way to Oklahoma City where I would meet with other Scripps members to figure out our plan of covering the devastated areas of Moore, Okla. I didn't feel ready. I hadn't covered a natural disaster like this since I was college and then it wasn't as bad as what I was seeing on the ground in Moore.

When I first arrived in Moore, police were everywhere and neighborhoods were destroyed. It was tough to take in. The EF5 tornado ripped through the neighborhoods with fury. Despite the devastation and destruction the tornado left behind, the people I spent time with had a surprising outlook about them. The people of Moore aren't unfamiliar with horrible weather. This was a part of their lives. Everyone I spoke with was grateful that their families were alive and well and had a positive outlook on it all.

"We're all here, that's all that matters," said Sean Nichols after searching through his family's destroyed home.

Their heads are up. They know their situation is a difficult one but they know they're going to be fine and they don't plan on leaving. Even though my time in Moore was short, I took quite a bit away from the community. A house is just a house, it's the people inside that house that matter most.

To be honest, I don't think I did all that well in telling the people of Moore's story. What I heard from the people in how they're grateful to have their loved ones alive and what I photographed doesn't show that so much. When I got there, families were reunited and the cleanup was taking place. I wish I had more time to spend with families in Moore, but duty calls back in Naples. Even though it wasn't my best work, I'm glad I went. Like everyday in this world, it's a learning experience and I'm glad I was able to spend the two days with some fine people in Moore.