Some Things Can't be Replaced

Since the tornado, this house has been sitting on its corner, missing a garage, pushed off the foundation, leaning at an unnatural angle.  Yesterday, they brought in the big equipment and demolished it, loading everything into a big dumpster to be hauled away.  I found myself crying while I watched.  Just thinking about it now makes me cry.

I don't know why.  I don't know the people who lived there.  I don't know anything about them, but every time we walk by there I keep wondering if they had a chance to get into the house to see if they could salvage anything, hoping they weren't told it wasn't safe and they couldn't even try.  Most things can be replaced, like furniture and books and knick knacks. An inogen oxygen concentrator can be replaced, and even computers, digital cameras, and TVs - but what about the important stuff?  What about wedding pictures and baby pictures and pictures from all those vacations?  Those are the kinds of things that can't be replaced.  I hope they got a chance to save some of those.