365 days: 12 months; 4 seasons; 1 year

That's how long it's been since Hurricane Katrina ravaged the Mississippi, Louisiana and Alabama gulf coasts, but it feels like a lifetime. I, of course, don't live there every day and see its damage, so I can't really speak as a true native anymore -- but what I have seen has changed my perspective on life entirely.

As a transplant from a place that once was, here are my post-Katrina thoughts, one year later:

1. Thank God my family is safe.

2. What the freak happened?

3. Was that storm really THAT big?

4. For the love of all that's good and holy, stop talking about effin New Orleans as though nothing else was affected.

5. Man. Nature is powerful.

6. I love storms. And now I kind of hate them, too.

7. Those insurance companies had better be glad they didn't hurt my grandparents. I'm pretty sure I would get vicious.

8. It still is a disaster area in some spots, though much hard work has gone into cleaning and rebuilding.

9. Where, pray tell, is Tullis? From the ripe young age of 5, I had big plans to commit myself to the love of my life there.

10. I heart my coast, its people and its spirit.

To those of you who have survived and continue to show that spirit, thank you for giving me something to work toward.

To those of you who care and have shown it, thank you. Even though everything has changed, home is still home. God bless you for caring and showing it -- in any way.

And to those who we lost to Katrina -- in any way -- no one knew her strength and power until she attacked our landscape. We honor you for doing what you thought was right, and we hope we are loving your family and friends properly.
One year is not a very long time to a place that was literally turned upside down in one day -- but it's a lifetime to those who live with the reality of the disaster.

Comments

Well put, Bekah.
Posted by Jams on September 5, 2006 - Tuesday 9:05 PM

letter I don't intend to send

Dear Random Person I've Never Met Who MySpace Messaged Me:

Thank you for contacing me on MySpace! It's always fun to log on and have new mail and friend requests. I think, "Hmmmm, is this someone I know from my current life -- maybe high school or college? Or maybe they're a friend of a friend and just found me on here! Yay!"

Here lately, though, it's been less of that, and more of you -- a struggling musician who doesn't already exist in my world or "online entrepreneur" who apparently thinks that becoming random people's MySpace friends will be the true secret to your success.

While I really appreciate whatever it is inside of you that saw my picture and said, "Her! Yes! Bug her and you will become famous!," I also would really appreciate your not messaging me about the latest way to make $500 a day by staying home anymore.

It's not that I'm not interested; I just don't care. Lots of luck to you with making new friends today! Have fun! :)

All my best, ~rebekah

rebekah's general warning: "letters I don't intend to send" is not an original concept by rj, but a cheap rip-off of an idea by Mindy Raf, one of the most hilarious comediennes ever. I just now think in terms of these letters when something really amuses or annoys me.

Comments:
Smartly amusing, my dear! Please don't forget the little people...
Posted by Jams on August 21, 2006 - Monday 8:50 PM