| ...a commentary on the Human Experience... | | | | experience' for her and her family, "We've seen how |
| I spoke with one of my high school friends (who | | | | people can come together from all walks of life and |
| currently resides in Lafayette, Louisiana) I'll call her | | | | help each other as well...that's the lesson..." |
| "Dee." She tells me that news reports are much less | | | | The problem with nature's wrath is that it can be so |
| graphic then what is actually occurring in | | | | very unpredictable. Two weeks ago, no one could've |
| Katrina-ravaged land. Persons not directly involved in | | | | begun to imagine that such deadly power would |
| one, cannot even begin to imagine a category 5 | | | | envelop the Gulf States; let alone wreck such fatal |
| hurricane's lethal destruction or effects. Dee tells me | | | | havoc and destruction. The other sad part of this |
| that "...an entire city...a major US city is beneath | | | | situation, is that Louisiana and Mississippi are home to |
| water...this is the big one," she paused, "there are | | | | many impoverished families; New Orleans, in particular. |
| sharks swimming in what used to be peoples' | | | | It's not that these families actively chose to stay in |
| backyards. Homes are completely destroyed. We | | | | the path of Katrina -- for many, leaving was not an |
| worry about West Nile, alligators and snakes. There is | | | | option due to various reasons, including financial |
| so much destruction." | | | | difficulty, health issues, or they were simply trapped |
| Living only two hours away on the north side of New | | | | in the last minutes. |
| Orleans, Dee relayed what news reports haven't told. | | | | Today, we reflect on Kathrina's terrible path of |
| While refugees are pouring into neighboring counties | | | | destruction. More than likely, Katrina will become |
| and states, she explained to me how rescue workers | | | | known as one of the most lethal, if not the most |
| are being forced to arm themselves (for their own | | | | lethal natural disasters in United States history. Making |
| protection) in order to save lives; and how desperate | | | | a pit stop in southern Florida, Katrina was responsible |
| people have become due to the treacherous | | | | for at least 7 deaths. As she barreled into the Gulf |
| circumstances. | | | | Coast, Katrina forced over a million individuals from |
| Her younger sibling (who lived in the direct path of | | | | their homes, causes widespread flooding and |
| Katrina) managed to evacuate before any mandatory | | | | catastrophic damages; in addition to loss of life that |
| evacuations were ordered; therefore he and his | | | | has still not been equated. The insurmountable |
| friends were at a safe distance before the storm | | | | destruction will take years to repair. Presently, mass |
| ever made it to shore. Unfortunately, her brother, like | | | | exodus' is under way to bring thousands of refugees |
| so many Gulf state citizens have lost homes, lives | | | | to safer ground. |
| and lucrative careers - for many, indefinitely; and for | | | | Will another category 5 storm hit the Southeastern |
| some, forever. | | | | or Gulf States? With the heightened rate of storms |
| We've all caught glimpses of graphic and dramatic | | | | developing in the Atlantic Ocean, and the expected |
| video footage on television and cable news networks | | | | increase in storm strength and frequency, the |
| everywhere. But my friend tells me that what we | | | | likelihood of another "Katrina" could be fearfully |
| see is nothing compared to actually seeing the | | | | inevitable. |
| aftermath in person. How much worse can it be - I | | | | While we cannot stop a hurricane; we can ultimately |
| thought. I asked 'how prepared' there state was for | | | | learn how to better contend with a storm (of this |
| such a catastrophe. Dee explained how emotionally | | | | magnitude) and how to effectively work together as |
| paralyzing Katrina has left her state and surrounding | | | | human beings. The greater lesson, I think, is to |
| states: "Remember how people used to talk about | | | | broaden our understanding on human suffering and |
| California breaking off and dropping into the ocean?" | | | | acceptance of circumstances beyond our control; and |
| She continued, "It's one of those things that could | | | | to be grateful for our livelihood and for the lives that |
| possibly happen, but never does happen-- that's | | | | we still have. |
| what's happened in New Orleans, Biloxi and all these | | | | To help with relief efforts, please visit the American |
| gulf regions...it's the 'what could happen but did | | | | Red Cross today at: |
| happen scenario. It's horrible." | | | | The Staff at Holistic Junction wishes to express its |
| I asked her how and if help is getting through to | | | | deepest and heartfelt sympathy, and hope for a |
| where it needs to go. She told me that help is | | | | brighter tomorrow to the survivors of Hurricane |
| pouring in from everywhere, but there are simply not | | | | Katrina. |
| enough leaders to delegate where the help needs to | | | | Copyright 2005 - All Right Reserved |
| be dispersed. It's a sad situation. However, Dee told | | | | Katrina: Nature's Deadly Rage |
| me that this situation has been a real 'learning | | | | Commentary by C. |