The country is faced with an ever-changing economic climate.  Many families are faced with uncertainty about quality of life.  Tragedy in ones life will make you bitter or better.  It is a choice.  If you have God in your life and you trust his will, even though you don't understand his will for his purpose; time will help the healing process.  Thus, the choice is to become better, though many will remain bitter.

The following is a record of the tragedy in my grandfather's life and my take on present day life and attitudes in America.  The Watertown Daily Times has given me permission to share the record of a tornado that hit my grandfather's farm on July 19, 1935.  The farm was located between Evans Mills, NY and Philadelphia, NY.

You ask how can one be better because of a tragedy like this? I answer, I don't know.  What happened on that day in July seventy five years ago is now recorded history.  What is not known in 1935 is the future that my grandfather and family faced.  We need to thank God that he doesn't reveal the future to us.  On that day he lost his wife, daughter and dreams.  His farm and buildings were destroyed which took away his ability to make a living.  No home, no possessions, no insurance.  A funeral for two people he loved, no money.  All taken from him in a matter of seconds. We can only imagine what went through Earl Drake's mind.  And remember America was coming out of a depression.

Fast forward a few years, World War II, America's sons and daughters went off to a war to end all wars, and most people believed that.  Of course the Bible will tell you that there will always be wars and rumors of wars.  Jim Drake, his son, served his country, came back sickly and passed away a young man at the age of 32.  Marjorie was 14 at the time of the tornado.  She became my mom and passed away at 42.  So my grandfather lost his wife and three of his children.  My grandfather never talked about dreams or the future.  He never complained about anything in life.  As an adult looking back, I believe he lost all of his dreams.  He took life as it came and lost hope.

Preserving the old landmarks, the buildings, is a privilege and an obligation.  Someone before us did, we have to, and following generations must.  So, you and I have a mission and that is to pass our passion to your children and grandchildren.  You have to understand that much of our youth grew up in mobile homes.  There is nothing wrong with that but most aren't aware of crown molding, hand laid fireplaces, summer kitchens, open stairways and something as simple as rose gardens, vegetable gardens and swinging in a hammock.

The following are excerpts from an article in the Watertown Daily Times.

WOMAN IS KILLED, THREE HURT, AS TWISTER LEVELS FARM BUILDINGS

(Philadelphia, July 20, 1935) - Masses of wreckage on the ground nearby and empty foundations today marked the spot where the $10,000 Earl Drake farm stood before 3:30 Friday afternoon when a twister struck it, killing a woman and injuring three girls, one seriously, after reducing three of the four substantial buildings to matchwood.

Woman meets death- Mrs. Earl Drake, 41, was killed instantly in a mangled mass that a few minutes before was her home.

Miss Lorena Drake, 19, the dead woman's daughter, who sustained a broken back and minor injuries and minor bruises.

Edith Cullen, 7, of New York City, a fresh air child, shock and minor bruises and fractured rib. 

Mr. Drake and his son James were in the field when the tornado hit.  There was little damage in nearby section.