LITTLE FLOCK, Ark. — Two storms, one on Memorial Day weekend and another in early November, struck the Puckett's property, which has been in the family since the 1920s. This Thanksgiving, the aftermath left their holiday celebrations looking quite different.
"We had 15 trees go down, and we were very fortunate, though, that none of them hit the houses. We had one that landed right by my house and broke the pergola in the backyard," said Diane Puckett, who owns the property. "I said, 'Wow, we missed that one,' but I had them come out and look and the roof needed work and sustained a lot of damage, especially from hail."
Diane said the November storm caused even more destruction. Diane's neighbor alerted the family of the extent of the damage when he came to check on them.
"He goes, 'Well, your front porch is gone, and there's all of this had been damaged, plus the south side of the building too,'" Diane said. "That's when we realized the gas meter had been broken and it was spewing gas. It was a direct hit on the south side, so it took all the boards and the siding off the south side. And our barn is in really bad shape because it's just metal."
The Pucketts are still unable to live in their home. With partial electricity, no gas, and extensive roof and wall damage, the family has had to adapt.
"We're rolling with the punches, but you know, it has been a sort of a different type of holiday," Diane said.
The family usually celebrates Thanksgiving at the house, but this year, they're splitting up and spending the holiday at different friends' houses.
"All of our traditions are all encompassed in that home. And so to not be in our home this year is definitely a strange and saddening feeling to not be where we usually are," said Sally Puckett, Diane's daughter. "We all have our own traditions, and ours started the morning at Grandma's house watching the Macy's Day Parade. It was very important to us, so we did start the day off with that at the rental home that we're staying in."
Despite the challenges, the family remains positive.
"Just knowing this house for my entire life, knowing it as the safe place to come home to, it just brings a lot of emotion," said Katie Wilson, Diane's daughter. "What I just keep in my heart is gratitude and being able to be here for my family and help in their time of need."
The family's favorite tradition at their house is breaking out the special plates that have been in the family for generations.
"The special dish wear that we always [use], the special plate for the turkey, getting to say grace, and say what we're grateful for," Wilson said. "We'll still say grace. We'll still be grateful. It'll just be a different location and with different friends and family."
"We always have to get the nice china out on Thanksgiving," Sally said. "That was always very special because we got to see those pieces and talk about the memories and how many generations have used these dishes."
As that china will stay in storage this year, they're looking forward to the memories that will be made next year.
"Just getting us all back together under the same roof will be so nice, and being able to share meals again," Diane said.
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