"I Wasn't Sure I Could Write About The Tornado -But Knew I Had To."
- ksmith0454
- May 30
- 6 min read
My name is Kayla, and if there is one thing you should know about me, its this:
I only write about what inspires me. What truly matters. Stories that feel alive, raw, and full of heart.
When I was asked to write about the tornado destruction and devastation, I hesitated.
My writing is featured in the Friday Finish blog, where you can find updates on the news and events in the Red Bird Mission school and community. For purposes of sharing multiple stories with limited room, I have restrictions on the length of my writing and the number of pictures included in my articles.
Here, I get to share my perspective, my emotions as a real human being in the community of Red Bird.
This space allows me to be vulnerable, to reflect on what these topics and these moments mean to me personally.
In doing so, I hope it gives others a chance to see the humanity in these stories too.
When the tornados ripped through London, Kentucky, leaving families scattered and homes destroyed, I hesitated to write.
The truth is, I felt I did not deserve to write about someone's pain. Their loss.
Because deep down, I asked myself- am I doing enough? Could my words even begin to scratch the surface of what they've endured?
But here's the truth I've come to understand in the journey to help: even the smallest effort can ripple out in ways we may never see.
And so, I choose to write. To remember. To act.
Why? Because doing something -even if it feels small- is better than nothing at all.
Before I ever sat down to write this post, I made a choice- to act first, along with others. Only after taking small actions did I feel I could write this with integrity.
Because this isn't just a story- it's the reality that so many Kentuckians are living through in this moment.
In my small act, I joined my good friend and coworker Danny Kelton Adams, on a trip to deliver donations of flood buckets, cleaning supplies, diapers and stuffed animals to the local church of London, the Faith Assembly Church of God.
A warm and welcoming environment with even more welcoming natured folk running the show with impressive organization, an overwhelming amount of support with their team of all ages.
"Wow," I said to myself.. They have all chaos under control.
Naturally curious, I started asking questions. "Who are these kids? Members of the church?"
"Honey, that's North Laurel Basketball Team!"
Before I could reply, she says,
"Look! Lets Go! We need to go help them unload those supplies!"
No time to talk, take action. How admirable.
I hushed my mouth and went to work taking action.
Kelton, founder of the well known Cardinal Cafe, chose to act immediately after the disaster putting his skills to meaningful use and purpose.
Kelton joined forces with Mercy Chefs, cooking meals for families and workers days after the tornado.
As Kelton and I worked together to help organize and distribute donations, we hear stories that were nothing short of heartbreaking.
But the full weight of the devastation wasn’t fully visible from the church.
That reality was waiting just around the corner.
Kelton and Cody's Story
Kelton and fellow coworker, Cody Asher embark on a journey to visit the heart of the destruction. Their actions weren't just about delivering donations; they were about showing love and compassion in the hardest of times.
This is their story.
Driving toward the impacted area along Airport Road, Kelton and Cody’s mood shifted from light-hearted to dread. At first, the road seemed fine—just another ordinary street. But the further they drove, the more everything changed.
By the time they reached the operations command post, it felt like they’d stepped into the middle of a disaster movie.
At the command post, they checked in, loaded their vehicle with supplies, and prepared to move deeper into the disaster zone. Every box loaded up and delivered was more than just items—they were lifelines.
As they drove through the area, the overwhelming destruction became impossible to ignore, weighing heavily on their hearts.
"This was real, true heartbreak."
Behind every headline on the news, every photo posted for the world to see, is a family, a story, a life turned upside down.
A disaster doesn't just destroy--it reveals the strength, resilience, and humanity
"They were literally pretzels," Kelton says as he describes the twisted metal from hangars and crumpled airplanes that lined their path.
The wreckage stood as a brutal reminder of the tornado’s ferocious force. What was once a normal community, alive with the hustle and bustle of daily life, was now reduced to lonely empty fields and concrete slabs.
Everywhere they looked, there were haunting echoes of what had been. The skeletal remains of buildings, stripped of their roofs and walls, stood like ghostly guards over the land, casting long shadows.
A Promise to Help
Kelton and Cody had the pleasure of meeting a nice feller who had been outside clearing debris from the remains of his home. He was polite, even grateful, but at first, declined their offer of food and water. After spending more time talking, he hesitated and finally shared that he could use some totes for organizing what little of his belongings, his entire life, that he had left.
Determined, Kelton and Cody promised to return with the totes he needed.
In Appalachian terms- If these guys tell you that they are going to do something, you can "take it to the bank" as my papaw use to say.
(I've had the honor of working side by side with these two fellers since I started my journey at Red Bird Mission and I can confidently say they are the most genuine, kind and giving souls.)
I have only one sister, but I would imagine that having a Kelton and a Cody in your life are exactly like having those protective big brothers.
Since the disaster hit, we've all been troubled and thinking hard about how we could assist. Somehow, true to our nature, we simply went out and took action..
The Heart-Warming Story of
The Kool-Aid and the Kid
Throughout their time in the disaster zone, Kelton and Cody were moved by the quiet strength and peace they saw in everyone they met.
One moment that’ll stick with me forever was when Kelton described meeting three teenage boys clearing brush outside the remains of their home.
It was hot, the area was a mess, but they were out there working, trying to do what they could.
Kelton and Cody pulled over, opened the trunk, and told them, “Take whatever you need.”
At first, they just stood there, hesitant, unsure if they should.
Then, one of the boys noticed a box of Kool-Aid nestled among the supplies. He broke into a grin, and with the most genuine tone you can imagine, said,
“Kool-Aid has never looked so good in my entire life.”
Whoever donated that Kool-Aid, I need you to know—what you gave wasn’t just a drink mix.
You gave that boy a piece of home, of comfort, in a time when everything else felt upside down. You gave him something normal to hold onto in the middle of chaos.
And that smile on his face? It was a reminder that even the smallest things can mean the world to someone who’s lost so much.
Kelton and Cody met folks who had lost nearly everything, yet they were still grateful for what little they had left and for the help they were getting.
That kind of strength is something you can’t forget.
When a Kentuckian hurts, we all feel it. That’s just who we are—we look out for each other, especially when times get tough.
The tornado’s destruction hasn’t just taken homes or belongings; it’s taken lives and pieces of people’s lives. Pain like this ripples-- it reaches beyond those directly impacted, but so does hope. Every hand that helps becomes part of the healing.
Even if you've never faced a disaster like this, the pain is universal- the loss, the fear, the uncertainty.
That pain deserves compassion, action, and solidarity.
We cant fix everything, but we can choose to care enough to try.
Folks from all walks of life are stepping up to lend a helping hand, whether it's cooking up a big pot of soup beans for those in need or offering a place to stay for those who lost their homes.
In true Kentucky fashion, we’re showing that kindness and generosity are at the core of who we are.
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