Background - David

[Guest guest]

How very kind of you to say, David - your words touched me as well! It has

been interesting living here, because I find that generally speaking, people in

this area seem to be divided into two groups. One is the traditional Christian

religious, and the other are the alcoholic rebellions! My mother belongs to the

former and my father belonged to the latter! So it deemed unavoidable - the

confusion that built my foundation.

 

Right after Katrina, it seemed as though nearly everybody was praying AND

drinking! Myself included! Families were thrown together against their will.

The stress led to many accidents, illnesses and premature deaths. For me, it

led to extreme dissociation. I remember like it was yesterday, the shock that

catapulted me into the role of the witness of something that was real and wasn't

real all at the same time. I visited places that were gone for months to come

in my dreams. The dreams were remarkable and vivid.

 

I had this one " Wizard of Oz " type of dream where my mother and I were

walking along a street that was then, very drab and complete destruction. There

was nothing but mud and debris everywhere. Then, one by one, beautiful,

colorful flowers began to sprout amongst the debris and I told my mother to stop

and look at what was happening. Then I asked, " Have those always been there, or

did someone put them there since the storm? " And the answer clearly came to me,

" They have always been there. "

 

But the overall experience taught me how important it is to focus on only

what is happening right in front of you and how helping yourself can sometimes

be the greatest help of all. And I found out that sometimes, everybody needs

help anyway. I found out the things that people will do to help each other in

times of crisis. I am honored to know many who risked their lives to save

others. I am honored to have witnessed convoys of military and power experts

and communication experts come from all over the country to restore us back to

civilization.

 

I am amazed at how the agony of waiting can go by in the blink of an eye.

I am amazed at how an entire community can be there one day, a pile of debris

the next, completely empty the next, and watch it come back in a whole new way.

I am fortunate to have witnessed creation in action. I began to grasp the ideas

that make creation happen. Many days were grand openings for old time

businesses who came back, rallied with community support. I witnessed many

tearful and heartfelt reunions.

 

Yes, I have tremendous respect for the people in my area and feel honored

to have been a witness to such an extraordinary event. These are people who

truly know the value of clean water, trash cans and a hot bath. They now carry

all of their sentimentals only in their hearts. I will forever feel inspired by

what truly lives in the hearts of mankind when given the opportunity to make

split second, life or death decisions.

 

Yes, it brings out the best in people and the worst in people, but this is

what stands out in my mind. I honor the Divinity that shined so bright. I

really love these people. I feel that we are forever bonded for all eternity.

 

Deb