Not too long ago, I wrote about my kindergartner demonstrating how to react in the event of a tornado and how I wished that was the worst disaster for which he had to prepare. Today I write to let you know how thankful I am that he was ready to face that particular threat, since we just returned from a treacherous trip down “Tornado Alley.”

A trade show in Dallas was the impetus for our family trek to Texas. Having never explored the “lone star state” before, we took the opportunity to share another journey with our children. Earlier this year, a press conference and subsequent meeting in New York took us on a 3,600-mile odyssey throughout the South and East, and the kids thoroughly enjoyed themselves while growing in ways school can’t quite match. It’s one thing to hear about state capitols, famous museums or historic landmarks, and quite another to actually go inside them and see history right in front of you.

Driving through Illinois, Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas was enjoyable – on the way there. A horse-drawn carriage ride through Dallas’s West End was magical. Austin’s Spanish-style architecture nestled among the rolling hills made for great hiking and sight seeing. San Antonio’s Alamo, River Walk and Sea World were perhaps most memorable. Our daughter Julianna still raves about “Shampoo, the killer whale!”

But it was on the way home that I made a revelation that I had to share with you.

Leaving San Antonio, we feared there was a problem with our Expedition. When we arrived back in Austin, we took it to a local Ford dealership and ended up replacing all four tires, the sway bar and had the front end re-aligned. Lesson learned: Trust your gut instincts. We would later be thankful for the new tires.

As we hit Oklahoma, Oklahoma hit us right back. Storms pelted our SUV from every direction. At one point, we drove through a small town and I remarked to my husband, Alvin, how strange the sky looked. Ten minutes later, the radio reported that a tornado had touched down in that town. As we drove on toward the border of Missouri, we hit a storm worse than any other. Blinding rain, furious lightning and booming thunder rattled our bones while hail exploded against the truck like gunshots. Pulled over, under the shelter of a bridge, we assured the children that all was well and we would be fine.

“Is there a tornado, Mom?” asked CJ, the kindergartner trained in such events.

“No, it’s just a really bad storm, but we’re safe,” I said.

“I know,” he said, smiling.

It was then that it resonated how vital it is for children to grow up feeling secure. The kids didn’t cry or scream throughout this ordeal (though I sure wanted to!). They took our word that we would get through the nightmare – without question. In general, our children enjoy the journey as much as each destination. As I think about why, the reason becomes clear: Home is where the family is. Regardless of the state we are in, hotel we are visiting or even if we’re spending hour after hour on the road, the kids feel secure in the knowledge that they are with their family. To them, family means love and security.

No matter where we are or what we are going through, as long as we are together, we are at home.

For tornado safety tips and to learn how you can help victims of the more than 300 recent tornadoes, visit www.redcross.org.

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