Moore Teacher Vows to Rebuild Home

A middle school teacher in Moore made sure his students were safe Monday as the huge tornado flattened entire neighborhoods, including his own.

Jim Henson and his family dug through what was left of their house Friday. It was directly in the path of Monday's tornado.

"Just by the devastation that I've seen, we're lucky we didn't lose more," said Henson.

The veteran teacher says it's cliché but true, materials can be replaced, not some of the people he knew. Across the street, his neighbors lost their grandson, who died at Plaza Towers Elementary School. At the 7-11 just up the street, a teacher he worked with died.

"We lost a teacher from highland west. A young mother. She was very concerned over her baby and she left to get her baby to safety and she ran out of time and ducked into the 7-11 and we lost her and the baby," he said.

As the cleanup process pressed on Friday, Henson and his family stood in awe at the help they have been getting from friends, family and complete strangers.

"People are coming out from everywhere and this is wonderful. This is what we're supposed to be like as humanity. Jump in the gap for one another and help."

Henson said he was proud that the community is teaching his 13-year-old daughter, Jennifer, an invaluable lesson.

"It makes me feel like Moore as a community. It makes me feel like we're like one big family. And we're there for each other to help each other," said Jennifer Henson.

As the Hensons pick up what little is left intact, they count their blessings. Jim's son was home when the tornado hit. He rode it out inside the most interior room of their home because they did not have a storm shelter. The tiny closet was the only place in the house where the roof wasn't ripped off.