I remember it like it was yesterday. Being on the Claibourne Bridge that Tuesday Night right after Katrina had passed. I remember getting out of the car and seeing the water rising almost to the top of the bridge. An as we waited for the Sun to come up for the next day as we tried to get some form of sleep, all through the night you could hear cries for "HELP" and that there were dead bodies in the water. An if I am not mistaken I think someone had even fallen over the bridge that night and died. Before long, morning came and we were blessed. Though one of the cars we were riding in ran out of gas, we were blessed that we were able to make two trips across the river and then find a hotel we were able to stay in for a week before we made it to Texas. But as I look back and thank God for how He helped me and my family escape this, I can't help but remember that many were not so blessed. Many lost lives, relatives, children, husbands and wives. And each and everyday since the days after Katrina they have been dealing with that pain. Living day by day not knowing if you are going to see that person again, or having them die right there in front of you, or finding out where they are, but hearing that they died alone. That is such a bitter pill to swallow besides losing everything you own except the clothes on your back. Also the thought of how are you gonna start all over again. How do you cope?
Katrina rained down her fury that Monday and by Tuesday morning as the Sun came out her fury could be seen everywhere, and in the midst of her ravaging her anger all over the Gulf Coast, the floods came. Waters reaching up to 20ft. in height, trapping people who had decided to stick it out, in their attacks. Also those who were fortunate enough to chop through their roofs were trapped on top. Days went by before any of them would be rescued, but as the helicoptors and the boats passed by, finally relief. Many who were fortunate enough make it out before the floods rose to epic proportion, made their way through the rising floods to the Super Dome or Convention Center.
But neither of those places proved to be a Safe Haven for those seeking "Shelter in a Time of Storm". With people lined up everywhere trying to get in, and with folks already in, cries for help still rang out due to fear, hunger, anger, and from those needing medical attention. But as the hours grew, different cries started to echo during the night. As reports would soon come, you would hear about cries for help because of someone being raped, or attacked, which left many not only afraid for their lives due to Katrina, but also from those that were trapped with them. 
Then finally, the Buses came. Many were taken to places they never thought they would wind up in their entire life. Some wound up in Texas, some Arizona, North Carolina, etc. It was strange, because they arrived with no plan, no belongings and very little hope. It would be days before they received help from the new place that they would have to call home for a little while. Although I cannot tell you the experience that everyone went through in every state, I do know that being out here in Texas was no picnic. It almost mimiced being at the Super Dome, but with a little more hope in sight. But as we know, "Relief" came again.
Hurricane Katrina may go down to be the most devastating Storm in history. But though the Rain, Flood, Disaster, and Death, Life arose for many that they only dreamed was possible. Life in the form of; Better Housing, Job Opportunities, Owning their own Business, Better Education, and for some a New and Better Love. And not to mention that after the dust settled, loved ones were found, safe, alive and doing better. As for us we found housing here the day we got here, and they welcomed us with open arms. We found jobs, schooling as well. So even though The Destructive Diva brought her fury to The Cresent City and the Gulf Coast, She also brought in change. So Katrina on this Day after 5 years we say, We remember your Wrath, but we also remember what became after that Wrath. Some good, some bad. Theres still a lot of rebuilding to be done in New Orleans and along the Gulf Coast, but we are suvivors and we will get the job done. But as for today all we can say is Katrina, we will never FORGET....
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