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