“…For thou hast delivered my soul from death: wilt not thou deliver my feet from
falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living?…” ~ Psalm 56:13
Posted on 08/27/2010 1:49:24 AM PDT by Islander7
Editorial calling out 0bama for ignoring Mississippi citizens who lost everything to Katrina (I'm one of them) while playing up the mess in NOLA. Mr Vincent pulls no punches, calls the levee breaks in NOLA a man made mistake. The media continues to ignore the culpability of decades of democrat rule in NOLA and Corps of Engineers incompetence in the disaster that befell NOLA. Ignored are the peoples of west Louisiana and east Texas who were hit by Rita, right on the heels of Katrina.
They ignore the people of Kentucky who froze to death in the massive ice storm of 2009 while 0bama dined on $100 a pound beef.
There is aerial video of the Coast as well as pointed commentary with an invitation for 0bama to visit the Coast and see what folks who take care of themselves have accomplished. Frankly, I'd rather he not stink up my home state.
The past few days have been a very emotional time. I was asked by a client to create a graphic for the 4th anniversary of Katrina. In searching through my photos and digging through internet archives of local news outlets, I was there again; flashed back to those terrible post-storm weeks.
I've run from those demons, denied them access to my conscious mind, fought them, suppressed their groping hands, determined to drag me into the abyss. I’ve resisted seeking the numbness of alcohol or worse agents.
But for a time; those screaming demons won, they owned me. That bitch raped and pillaged a lifestyle I loved. The fabric of my life was shredded, friends scattered to parts unknown. The constant self reminders of, 'I am only one of thousands, others lost much more', no longer kept the banshees at bay. One of thousands on a sinking ship share the whole experience, yet the horror is personal to each.
The smell; that smell of narcotizing flesh, one never forgets. I have encountered that smell many times in my everyday work life, I knew it well. Despite years of practiced aloofness, separation of emotions from intellect, the studied art of detachment to maintain a professional demeanor; that smell welded itself to my soul.
A list of 170 names, some of those names had lives I shared, some I knew casually, some were clients depending on me. Some had families so uncaring, dysfunctional, they were left to meet their fate alone, ill, incapable of rescuing themselves. I could not rescue them. Hell, I barely rescued myself; now it appears doubtful I was rescued at all. That smell was my neighbors, friends, acquaintances, patients, and in one case a well educated, highly skilled, friend, colleague, a mother, a lady of exceptional beauty.
All that raging bitch left me, physically, from a lifetime of photographs, professional achievements, documents, education certificates, mementos from a favorite aunt just before her passing, was one battered, nearly melted artifact. That's it.
I treasure it. It is a starting point.
When I worked my way back to my base in Grand Bay, Alabama after poking through the ashes of my home in Pass Christian, my sister hid it. I feared she had discarded it. “No,” she said, her fears palpable, tears welling, her hurt barely disguised with a nervous laugh, “I just can’t bear to look at it.” God alone knows I much I love and admire this tough lady, the epitome of a genteel Southern Belle. How she became my sister, or rather I her brother, is a mystery.
It is said when God closes a door, He opens a window. Going through the motions of life these years in darkness and denial has been a travesty. There is no zest, no enthusiasm, a fatalistic clinging to ‘Now’, there is not ‘Later’ only now. The aging of my soul is evident, a slow suffocation of Spirit, dulled mental acuity, I’ve become a hermit, withdrawn from life. I relish my self-imposed isolation, it is the only control I have.
A ray of light has pierced my darkness. Just a spark, a message from the ether, “How’s life?” ......Where the hell has he been? He officially does not exist, I’ve Goggled for him for years, searched every database in Arizona where I last knew him to be, searched his roots in Missouri, nothing! If Google can’t find you, you ain’t there.
“Life sucks, thank you very much,” a few more brief exchanges, a bit of phone tag. Finally connection; how‘s the kids?... where you have been?... then that same easy conversation. Despite years of absence, the conversation, the plans, possibilities, opportunities flowed like warm honey; nearly an hour passed in only minutes. Sweet indeed is the joy of a true friend found.
A little more light, a bit brighter; the warm glow is delicious. Hey, there really is a tomorrow, there could be a later. The realities of those plans, ‘what ifs’, the nuts and bolts. Amazing! A genuine CHALLENGE! A challenge that will, if realized, bring me full circle to a friendship misplaced and profession restored.
Though it is half a world away, perhaps I can at last bury these demons; shaking off the dust of a past stolen; expelling those noxious, malodorous nightmares and walk out of the desert, into the sunshine a better, happier man.
Is that the glow of an opening window? Seems it could be, it just may be.....
I never did understand “stream of consciousness” writing.
What is the point of this series of words: that hurricanes can do bad things to the innocent? Wow, there’s a real eye-opener.
Typical journalist. Sees himself as the next Hemingway as a writer, but either doesn't know correct verbiage (or just plain can't spell). The correct term is "necrotizing flesh". But just plain old "rotting flesh" is clearer and has more impact.
I wrote those words regarding the smell of dead bodies, many of whom I knew. I missed the typo. Sorry it offended it.
I was reliving personal experiences. Seems you would have to have been there.
Yep...I guess they would have had to be there.
Pity that...
Frankly, knowing that my hometown, 150 miles north of the coast, was declared a fed disaster area says a lot about what happened. Baton Rouge, a mere 90 miles north of NO, was fit to go...except for all of the “refugees”.
Thank you for sharing your experience. Those in NOLA received too much publicity, and those of you in MS received less than was needed...and deserved.
All those quaint towns on the North Shore, Franklinton, Waterproof, Covington, Robert, were flattned. You never a single word about them or Slidell. The majority of the public has no sound understanding of just how massive a storm Katrina was.
I evacuated 120 miles north of the Coast and was trapped there! Trees, power lines across the roads, roofs blown off. It was a mess. I was 6 miles north of Laurel.
Sorry I missed this yesterday. However, it made it possible for me to also miss the Spelling Police and literary critics. Your article was very interesting and you did an excellent job of picturing some of the after-effects of such a monumental event. I’m so sorry for all you lost, but glad you are finally beginning to see the light of day. I hope everything works out well for you.
Thanks. I have decided it was a mistake to share such intimate insights.
Apparently, given the retrospectives I’ve seen today, you won’t ever hear those reports.
Meridian was as far south as help could go. The trucks with needed supplies were taken to NAS Meridian, and they stayed there until they could get the interstate open.
Where did you go? My aunt in Laurel was without power for a much longer time than I would expect. Though, that could have just been her power company.
Even in Meridian, there were so many trees down that it would take 45 minutes to an hour to make what would normally be a 10 minute drive. Plus, they had a curfew, which reminds me of martial law...but that’s another topic altogether. ;o)
My parents in Meridian actually managed to find a hotel room in Starkville so that they could have some much needed air conditioning.
I went home six weeks after Katrina hit, and I couldn’t believe the damage along I 20, between Jackson and Meridian. They were still picking up trees!
I gathered with my brothers and sisters in Shady Grove, about 6 miles north of Laurel. We were lucky that we did not have more damage to our immediate area. Tornadoes passed a quarter mile south and north of us. It was the strips of tornado damage that had us trapped. As usual, the locals started cutting the trees and clearing the roads on their own.
That area was without phone service for nearly two months after the storm. It was 4 weeks before power was restored. There a lot of damage to the home along 5th Ave in Laurel. It was once lined with huge oaks, no longer.
I have a friend in Meridian who had a large tree cut her home in two.
“I have a friend in Meridian who had a large tree cut her home in two.”
Was it on Poplar Springs Drive? I know of two there...
Laurel was hit pretty badly, especially for being so far north of the beach. The tornadoes did their worst. I don’t remember how long it was before I 59 (59?) opened, but it was quite a while.
I was totally shocked to find out the Meridian had been declared a national disaster area, though from hearing my parents talk about it during the few times I could reach them, it sounded pretty dang bad.
“Was it on Poplar Springs Drive?”
She actually lives in Meehan Junction, about 7 miles west of Meridian. Believe me, it was bad.
I’m so sorry to hear that. I hope she’s been able to rebuild. Those on Poplar Springs Drive were beautiful old homes, and had to be bulldozed.
I love Meehan Junction. When I arrive in Jackson, and drive to Meridian, Meehan Junction is where I know I’m home! ;o)
After re-reading both your post and my reply, I realize I came across as very cold, and I apologize for my rudeness.
I just want you to remember that God never gives us a challenge He expects us to fail. He wants us to prevail over adversity, and it looks like you are doing so quite well, even though it seems so hard.
God bless us all, and keep the faith!
“I just want you to remember that God never gives us a challenge He expects us to fail. He wants us to prevail over adversity, and it looks like you are doing so quite well, even though it seems so hard.”
First, thank you so much for your reply, and for your graciousness.
FWIW, that kind of challenge...having the coast look like a nuke exploded...is hard. However, for folks from MS, it was just another pull yourself up by your bootstraps moment. I’m old enough to remember Camille. I think the state got the coast back on track without the feds. The MS National Guard did the grunt work.
It’s been five years, however I never fly into Jackson without people who are arriving with me to help. You wouldn’t believe how many kids have spent the last four Spring Breaks in MS helping those who have needed it.
But, those are church kids...they apparently don’t warrent recognition, nor do they seek it.
One thing you can say about us...we’re not whiners. But, generally speaking, we elect good state government leadership. I said “generally”...not always.
This time, Haley Barbour was the right man, at the right time.
Again, thank you for your kind reply. ;o)
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