In the wake of tragedy, sometimes the most unexpected moments of light can shine through the darkness, reminding us of the resilience of the human spirit. Such is the case for one family in Parkersburg, Iowa, who recently experienced a heartwarming reunion with a precious piece of their history thought to be lost forever.
It’s been nearly 16 years since an EF5 tornado ripped through Parkersburg, leaving a trail of devastation and death in its wake. Among the hardest hit was the area along Highway 14, where homes were obliterated and lives were forever changed. Hope Tomkins and her family were among those who lost everything in the storm, including a cherished wedding photo of her grandparents.
“We sat there and just… It was just devastating,” recalls Marcia Mull, Tomkins’ mother, reflecting on the aftermath of the tornado.
But fate works in mysterious ways, and sometimes, it brings unexpected reunions. Last month, Tomkins stumbled upon a Facebook post from the City of Parkersburg featuring an old wedding photo with two familiar faces – her grandparents.
“Does anyone recognize this couple? One of the many unclaimed tornado items from over the years,” the post read. “Cleaning out the closet at city hall and we found this! Let’s see if we can locate the family of the couple in this photo!”
Within minutes, Tomkins claimed the photo, marking the end of a 16-year journey to recover a piece of her family’s history. “That is my grandpa and grandma!”, she posted in the comment section. For Mull, the significance of this reunion goes beyond sentimentality.
Her father, dressed in military uniform in the wedding picture, was a World War II veteran who fought in the historic D-Day invasion at Normandy. “Oh, it means remembering things from my mom and dad and stuff that we did,” Mull said.
Wedding photo that was lost during tornado. Photo from Facebook
The return of the wedding photo not only brings closure to Tomkins and Mull but also serves as a beacon of hope for the entire community of Parkersburg, which continues to rebuild in the aftermath of the tornado. Christopher Luhring, the Parkersburg City Administrator, understands the importance of celebrating such moments of joy amidst tragedy.
“We’ve had so many good stories in the last 16 years to come out. It’s just awesome to reflect on what that picture meant. But then to see the excitement and the joy in the family that got it back is pretty cool,” Luhring remarked.
Indeed, amidst the rubble and ruins left by the tornado, stories like these remind us of the resilience and strength of the human spirit. They remind us that even in our darkest hours, there is always hope for brighter days ahead. While the storm may have taken much from them, it could not erase the cherished memories captured in that photograph – memories that will now endure for generations to come. Watch below for a look at the family and their found photo.
