By Carl Manning

Even days after a tornado damaged his home in Villa Ridge, MO, Kevin Fee still has surges of emotion as he views what’s left.

Part of the roof was torn off, and a section of the back deck was destroyed. Yet, for Kevin, this home had been a cherished haven for years—a slice of heaven for him and his family, complete with a fishing pond just steps from the back door.

“The house spoke to me when we moved in, and now it’s screaming for help. When I see it, the reality sinks in,” Kevin said, his voice filled with emotion. “I really feel lucky, but now I’m overwhelmed.”

The night the tornado plowed through the small community was one he won’t forget anytime soon. Kevin, his wife, and five children headed for the basement. Looking out a window, he saw pieces of a metal shed flying by.

“We hunkered down in the stairwell, because that’s the strongest part of the house,” he said. “We heard the noise, and I felt my ears popping, and we headed downstairs.”

Kevin said the house wasn’t the only casualty. Pear trees planted near the house were ripped out of the ground, and a 250-year-old tree was uprooted in the front yard.

“When I saw that big tree was gone, I realized just how lucky we were,” he said. “But I’m not complaining, we are better off than some of people around here.”

Kevin said he hopes to repair, rebuild and remain where his family has enjoyed their time there, especially the fishing pond.

“My primary concern is the wellbeing of the family, and I don’t want to uproot them. We want to keep the kids in the schools they’re in now,” Kevin said. “We’re not sure what we can salvage, but we would like to salvage what we can.”

As part of the rebuilding, Kevin recently acquired a generator to power the large freezer and refrigerator stocked with food until electricity is restored to the area.

One of the few things left untouched is a metal sculpture hanging on front of open shelter for farm implements, placed there by the previous owner. Kevin said it’s a replica of a smiling Sun god that is supposed to bring good luck.

“It certainly lived up to its name,” he said glancing up at the smiling sun.