Time and again, we find what might be the only silver lining in a time of tragedy: the way it binds us together.

April 27, 2011, will always be remembered as a day of devastation that led to greater strength and hope in Franklin County than ever before. The tornado that bore down on our communities took so much from us, from people we loved to our very feelings of safety and security in this place we call home.

Most of us can agree, however, it gave something to us as well. It gave us the opportunity to reach out to our neighbors in need, sharing our hearts with one other in that period of crisis. It motivated us to cherish the little things and to find a way to see through the loss and find our footing again.

So many stories remain from that tragic time in our recent history: stories of destruction and stories of rebuilding; stories of great loss and stories of great gain; inspiring stories that make you cry and smile at the same time.

Sharing stories is our business, and we want to share those stories that have stuck with you from eight years ago.

Do you have a memory you’d like to share? Maybe you cherish special thoughts of the chance you had to help someone – or the way others helped you. Maybe you’d like to share your memorial of a friend, family member or neighbor or was taken too soon. Maybe in your reflections on that event, you have found some greater peace or meaning, despite the sorrow.

If you’d like to share your thoughts or remembrances related to the April 27, 2011, tornado – we want to hear them. We will share these special memories in next week’s issue, the April 24 Franklin County Times.

You can email your memory or thought to alison.james@fct.wpengine.com; share it in a comment on Facebook, either on our page or tagging us on your personal page; by sending a direct message on Facebook; or in a tweet to us on Twitter.

Help us remember.