Katrina Anniversary
One year ago today, hurricane Katrina destroyed a lot of lives and property.
My family was among those who got slapped around by Katrina. Pretty hard. We lost everything but what we evacuated with, but the thing is, a year later, it's not the loss that haunts survivors.
I handled the whole thing pretty well for a long time. I mean, it was hard to throw away things that couldn't be replaced — pictures, my son's baby handprints, the things he made in preschool, his goldfish. But eventually, the house was gutted, our things piled in front of the house for garbage trucks to pick up.
Afterward, I was okay. Really. Then, about three months ago, I think the survival mode wore off. I began to have trouble looking at pictures of Katrina damage. I couldn't stomach shows about it.
A couple of days ago, as the anniversary approached, I started feeling a little overly emotional. Yesterday, I lost it. I don't know…a little PTSD? Suddenly, I can't watch the news, can't look at pictures, can't listen to how "well the gulf coast is recovering." Because I haven't recovered, and it has nothing to do with the loss of "stuff."
My friend Shawna called yesterday — she didn't lose anything in Katrina. Not "stuff," anyway. But she went through the hellish evacuations (unless you've done it, you cannot even begin to understand the hell of stressing for a week about a potential hurricane, the planning, the packing, the loading of the vehicle…then driving for 20 hours straight in a car full of kids and pets, stressing about gas that's running out, restaurants that run out of food, and storms from the outer bands that blow vehicles off roads.) She lost friends who had to move away after the hurricane because they lost their homes. She lost the parks, the schools, the places she used to take her kids. So her house might have been intact, but she still lost a lot. And when she called, she was as distraught as I was. This anniversary has messed with us. Hard.
So anyway, I figured I'd update you on where we stand as far as our "stuff." Emotionally, my husband and son are fine. I'm the one who is a mess. 
Thanks to a lot of charity from the writing community, family, and friends, we've replaced many of our things…beds, dishes, clothes. We DID salvage a little from the house, but much of it needs some serious repair and cleaning.
Our house was gutted from the ground to six feet up, in some places more because the walls collapsed from the weight of the water. On top of that, it was looted several times, most recently just a few days ago. People steal stupid crap, like lightbulbs.
We waited forever for a determination from the hurricane insurance company. The grand total awarded from them was $3,000.
FEMA gave us $5,000 for the repair of the house.
That is the grand total of monies received for our losses.
Of course, even if we'd received more, we couldn't have started work on the house any sooner than that we have, anyway. The shortage of contractors and supplies workers has left homeowners in a lurch.
The good news is that we finally have contractors working on our house. They've replaced the electrical wiring, and are supposed to begin work on the drywall this week. If we can get that puppy fixed by fall, we're hoping to either rent it out or sell it–which might have been a problem, except that Keesler AFB is about ready to bring in airmen again. They'll be starting to come in just as our house is finished — assuming our house will be finished by the end of September. Since there is very little available housing in the area, we may be able to rent or sell to the incoming Air Force people.
We won't make a profit, but we'll be able to get out from under the mortgage (right now we're paying rent AND a mortgage.) Everything inside will always be a total loss, but the incredible generosity of the writing community helped soothe the sting. I'm still so very grateful for my friends who put together the Katrina auction in my benefit, and for everyone who contributed, bid, and sent donations. I haven't said thank you for a while, so while I'm suffering from a rare moment of sappiness…
THANK YOU!!!!!!:mrgreen:
And to all those affected by any hurricane, you're in my prayers. 
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