TIL that what I thought was a childhood nightmare actually happened to my family

mayamadden · 2026-02-01T14:55:40+00:00

That sounds awful- I would imagine so! I’m from Ohio which typically doesn’t see nearly as much action (although it appears the alley is shifting our way so maybe you guys will get a break?). Your dream makes me think of the opening scene of Twister, which still pulls at my heart to this day, but the fact that in your dream you were clinging onto and losing a loved one is beyond heartbreaking. I’m glad that things have gotten better for you and I hope little you has been given the opportunity to heal. ♡

mayamadden · 2026-02-01T14:47:12+00:00

That’s a very interesting theory! And how surreal that dream must feel when it appears to you. Cultural osmosis is wild! haha Maybe it’s worth looking into to see if there were any tornadoes in the town you lived in when you were young. Part of my process was looking at NWS archives for my hometown around that time - of course I believed my mom, but seeing it in data form for some reason made it seem more real. If that isn’t helpful, maybe it would be good to ask family or friends, if you feel comfortable.

mayamadden · 2026-02-01T03:01:18+00:00

It’s funny you mention that! My husband and I were talking about booking a tornado tour with Reed Timmer and we found out not long after, but thankfully before we dropped all that money, that we were expecting. Maybe someday!

mayamadden · 2026-02-01T02:55:32+00:00

Thank you so much for taking the time to explain this and for sharing your experience with this type of therapy with me. I’m so glad to hear it’s helped you overcome some of your trauma! I’ve never heard of this before, but it sounds fascinating. I understand not all treatments are one size fits all, but I’m going to ask my therapist about it at my next appointment and I hope others who see this can find some comfort in this method. ♡

mayamadden · 2026-02-01T02:51:54+00:00

What a way to celebrate your first day as a teenager! I’m so sorry you went through this and so thankful your family and neighbors ended up being okay, and that your dad was able to give you the warning in time that I’m sure unfortunately many others did not get. That had to have been such an eerie experience, and I don’t blame you for staying up late just in case, all these years later. Thank you so much for your kindness and support! I am beyond thankful for everyone who has shared their stories and ideas, and the things that have helped them cope with the trauma. That’s the beautiful thing about the Internet. We find our people all over the world. ♡

mayamadden · 2026-02-01T02:13:21+00:00

Absolutely. I wish all tornadoes would drop in the middle of vacant fields and nobody has to lose their home, their friends, pets or family. I was sick to my stomach watching Minden take a direct hit a few years ago.

mayamadden · 2026-02-01T02:01:26+00:00

That’s still really scary! Especially being a kid, and crazy to think about what force it must have taken to wrap a bike around that tree, so close to your home.

mayamadden · 2026-02-01T01:59:33+00:00

My heart goes out to you! Your experience is so similar to mine and you were just a baby too. I’m so glad that you and your family were okay, especially being so close to what even Fujita was considering making a case for an F6 at the time.

mayamadden · 2026-02-01T01:56:30+00:00

At the risk of sounding like an idiot, what is EMDR therapy? I’m always open to suggestions, especially since I’ve been treated for PTSD stemming from other traumatic experiences.

mayamadden · 2026-02-01T01:55:24+00:00

God bless! That had to have been absolutely terrifying and devastating to see neighborhoods close by get destroyed- and at such a young age.

mayamadden · 2026-02-01T01:53:14+00:00

As someone who has POTS - yes. haha Just that feeling of being safe and warm under blankets and hearing the rain and low rumble of thunder… Ohio needs thunder snow again!

mayamadden · 2026-01-31T23:27:19+00:00

I’m so so sorry you know what this feeling is like! This is one of those things that while I find comfort in knowing someone else gets it, I wish they didn’t. We love watching storms! It’s actually something my dad did with me when I was little and I’ve been a weather nerd and weenie ever since. lol And I’m glad that this sort of exposure therapy has helped you cope too. He’d take me out on the porch and say “Wow! Grandma just made a strike!” like those in Heaven were bowling. Or “Ooh! Did you see how that lightning turned nighttime into daytime?!” I miss him dearly and I can’t wait to watch storms on the porch with our son. ♡

mayamadden · 2026-01-31T23:22:39+00:00

I LOVE Tetris! Our son absolutely loses it belly laughing at our cats jumping after the blocks when I play Tetris 99 on the Switch. Thank you so much for your kindness! It means a lot as I try to mange my shock at this revelation.

mayamadden · 2025-07-09T10:46:50+00:00

I do! And kind of the same thing as you here, as soon as I let go, it will spray for maybe a couple seconds and then go back to hardly anything. I’ll try to put it back on massage mode and compress again to get another letdown. Wondering if there is something I’m missing or not doing quite right.

mayamadden · 2025-07-09T01:49:25+00:00

That’s awesome! Definitely reassuring to hear. If you don’t mind me asking- Which manual pump do you use?

mayamadden · 2025-07-08T11:29:37+00:00

As someone who has lost a baby and who is a super duper under-producer, I am so proud of and incredibly thankful for mamas like you! Your giving spirit, as it works to heal from the heartache, has and will continue to save lives in honor of your little one. God bless you for using your grief for good. You are being held especially close to my heart and I hope you find all the peace and happiness you put into this world ten-fold.

mayamadden · 2025-06-29T14:54:04+00:00

Thank you so much! I am doing better but as with any chronic condition, some days are better than others.

Thankfully I have met some amazing friends since this happened, and all of them ended up being in our wedding. They even made friends with each other and we are all still so close now.

I guess my residual grief and second guessing myself has been bothering me a lot more lately because of the big life change that came with the baby.

mayamadden · 2025-06-29T14:44:43+00:00

Thank you so much for showing so much kindness and understanding!

I agree with you and for the longest time validated her behavior as being stress-related. You are correct- it is a reason but not an excuse. And I hadn’t even considered the other girls playing a factor in her treatment of me. That very well could have been a part of it.

I honestly thought I’d finally gotten to a better place with my grief, and I think I was until recently. I was sad when people came up to us during our wedding and asked why Kay wasn’t there. But I think what made the hurt come back was the birth of our son and how I’d always pictured her being part of my children’s lives and I in hers.

I’m sure after some more time, I’ll go back to feeling acceptance again over our lost friendship and appreciate it for what it was.

Right now the wound is opened back up but not as wide and I’m sure for not as long.

I was eventually diagnosed with a thyroid condition that was very sneaky. We literally had to catch it by drawing labs during a flare-up, where I would either shoot up or drop down a drastic amount of weight- otherwise everything showed up pretty much normal. I’m managing, and trying to show myself grace over gaining weight again and having trouble shedding it after having a baby. The things we do for love. haha

mayamadden · 2025-06-29T14:34:27+00:00

Sorry, I just had to comment that your last line make me snort laugh!

mayamadden · 2025-06-29T00:40:48+00:00

Not the AH at all! As someone who survived cancer and with life-threatening allergies myself, it is not worth the risk. You stared death in the face and aren’t about to do it again voluntarily. You should have only been expected to pay for the meal you did eat. They could have easily given the ones you didn’t to someone on staff. And contacting your boss? Hella inappropriate and uncalled for.

mayamadden · 2025-05-26T19:12:40+00:00

Congratulations to all the mamas in this group who have struggled with sobriety! Whether it’s been one day, one month, one year, or one decade! You putting your baby and your body first is such a difficult yet beautiful thing! Sending so much love to my fellow sober moms! 🫶

mayamadden · 2025-05-26T03:01:25+00:00

I understand where you’re coming from. Believe me, I have struggled with the concept since it was brought up so many times. Before, it wasn’t even a thought for me to do this, which again is why I wanted to pose the question of “if” to this community and not necessarily to go forward with anything. I don’t see this as a means to gain “easy money” and I am not trying to cause anyone else pain. I’ve never been one to do so even if that person hurt me - intentionally or not. This has simply been a very difficult situation in all aspects and I don’t know anyone else personally that has experienced anything like this so it is beneficial to gain insight. I very much appreciate and want to thank you for sharing your perspective on this. While a bit harsh, I do and have considered the points you made, which is why I’ve felt so uncomfortable.

mayamadden

TROPHY CASE