Every time
there is a natural disaster, I am taken back to September 12th, 2008 and relive the emotional devastation of when Hurricane Ike hit Galveston and the Gulf Coast. I relive the horrible events of that time all over again with those who are experiencing destruction of their own and their loved ones lives in this current moment of time. Let me just qualify my thoughts as I express them here:
No two experiences are the same during a disaster... any disaster. I cannot even fathom the mindset of those experiencing individual losses touched by this tragedy... only mine from years ago.
I only know what it feels like to lose everything I cared about in life materially. The loss of all of my belongings, keepsakes, furnishings and furniture, clothes, shoes, jewelry, photo albums, memories. All of my children's books that I had collected from the age of fourteen. All of my family heirlooms and recipes and children's school things and baby clothes that I was keeping for my grandchildren someday. All of my "stuff."
I only know what it feels like to lose my scoot. The one thing that gave me my life back and kept me sane during a painful recovery from crushed dreams, broken promises, and a shattered sacred trust that tore me into pieces at the core... dismembered me inside beyond recognition... seared my soul at its deepest depths.
My little sporty... the one thing that made me breathe again... Riding is like air to me. She was the one thing that gave me joy again... the one thing that allowed me to fly again... the one thing that brought me hope.... again. Hope when I thought my world had ended and I couldn't have cared less to live. Hope to realize that to love myself, I had to choose to live again. The knowledge that life continues on and will be good again someday; if we can only breathe one labored breath at a time, through the ultimate pain of what the world delivers within our innermost being.
She let me know that that what I thought was a loss unimaginable was actually a gift of the highest degree. My scoot gave me the hope to begin healing myself... a gentle loving work. I am so grateful for so many things, but especially for the life that I now lead. No one can take anything away from me ever again... no man nor any woman... not even a hurricane. I am the strongest I have ever been. Content. Loving life. Free.
I only know what it feels like to lose a loved one to disaster. The loss of my beautiful sister, Stacy. The most devastating of all is to lose your loved ones. There is nothing to compare it to. And then all of your other losses pale in comparison. You wonder why you thought they were important. You re-evaluate those things that you hold dear to your heart and realize that the only things in life that matter aren't things at all. They're the people. The people are what are important in our lives... family and our friends.
We were one year apart in age, Stacy and I, yet she lived a totally different life than me. Different experiences, different choices, different passions. We shared the love of life and the love we have for our children though. And she always made me laugh! Always the prankster. The comic in our family. Oh how much fun she had teasing the nieces and nephews.
I think of my sister every day and remember her favorite song and the way she always said, "Right!" among so many other things. Not a day goes by that I don't miss her. I love you, Stacy... wish you were here. You and Scott and Jason. Our family has a huge hole that will never be filled without you three.
Many in Alabama and nearby states are living this nightmare of total loss, destruction, and helplessness. Many are simply trying to take their next breath. Some may not want to... some will fight to never stop. Every one will have their own reaction and action to this tragedy.
This much I know is true:
My heart hurts with them. Lives are shattered. Many are dead. Those remaining have losses of such magnitude that their lives will never be the same. If I could go there, I would... just to be a body present who could give a hug, tell them it will get better, and listen to their stories as their tears reveal their pain. I wish I could be a first responder, or any type of responder, and let them know that some of the things they are feeling ~ I felt also. I wish, but I can't. Not today. Not for this natural disaster.
So I did what I could do and gave money. I chose the Red Cross because of my personal experience with them after Ike. They were there giving us food and water every day as we worked on cleaning up and throwing away all of those things that were destroyed. The disaster doesn't do the cleaning... it just leaves the mess. The most important immediate needs are food, water, and shelter.
If you want to donate to the Red Cross, either text "REDCROSS" to #90999 for a $10 donation added to your phone bill and designate which relief effort you want to support or go to their website. If you want to give to another organization other than the ones listed by the Red Cross, click HERE and find where your heart leads you.
If you want to give personally to a family, a church, a community ~ click HERE. I don't know who needs funds directly, but my friend Jack has a PayPal account and, if you truly feel the pressing need to be more direct, you could make an online donation to him designating the funds for whoever is closest to him personally. He is the one who took these pictures. He is the one who has worked hours on end since the beginning the first tornado began its destructive path. He is supporting others in immediate need as we are sitting in our comfortable homes watching from the sidelines unable to do much other than pray and give funds.
Jack is one of the angels sent to help those who are helpless right now.
I am honored to be his friend.
Click HERE for pics posted that are being found after the storm.
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