At the Core I've Forgotten, In The Middle of My Thoughts...

"Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will." ~ Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi

Some of you may or may not know that this Sunday, August 29, 2010 marks 5 years since Hurricane Katrina ravaged the Gulf Coast spanning from Louisiana to the Florida panhandle. Today I attended a ceremony marking the closing of one of the last remaining religious-based non-profit/volunteer camps still left in this area. While I wasn't here when Katrina hit, I arrived about 6 months later and could still see so much of the devastation. I can't even begin to imagine what the people of this area have gone through.

But today I realized, I never really have imagined exactly what these people have been through. Can you imagine swimming out of your second-story window as cars float past you? Can you imagine walking (because there's no gas and because there's too much debris in the streets to drive even if there was) past bodies scattered all over the place? Can you imagine watching your home be destroyed, or leaving for your safety and not knowing if you even have anything to go back to? Can you imagine waiting days, if not weeks to know if your family members are even alive?

I can't. And yet I sit here many days, and I feel sad, and I hate my life and wonder why things can't go my way. I am not ungrateful. For anything in my life. But, I also think I often fail to recognize and remember exactly how good I have it. That although things may be hard, and I may struggle from time to time, when it comes down to it - I have a wonderful and blessed life. Who the hell do I think I am? How dare I think my life so horrible after what so many have suffered through and STILL struggle to overcome. Of course we all have trials and tribulations in our lives, but there's always someone worse off. There are people here who have literally lost everything. People have lost their belongings, irreplaceable things and memories like pictures and home movies, and even actual family members. But it didn't stop them. They kept going. They didn't give up. I have an unexpected bill or expense come up and my entire life is just chaos. Really? REALLY? People lost ev-ery-thing. And not only did they deal with it, live through it. They overcame it. They mentally and physically worked through it. They REBUILT their entire lives. And they did it despite their sorrow, and their devastation. They never lost hope. Nothing in my life even begins to compare.

My work has allowed me to see first-hand that the work here is far from done. A lot of people think that since it's not on the news anymore, it must all be taken care of, it must be fixed. That's so far from true. I urge everyone to take a few minutes to remember the devastation that not only happened here, but as a result of natural disasters all over the world. If you're able, volunteer for a day, or donate a couple bucks. Most of the time it's tax deductible. Think about all that a few hours of your time and a few bills from your wallet can do if everyone did a little bit. Remember that just because it's not on the news tonight, it doesn't mean the need isn't still there, and that actual living, breathing people do still need help.

It's easy to get caught up in our lives and forget about those who are not as fortunate as we are. I know I'm guilty of it. I guess I just needed a little reminder. I'm glad I got it. My heart is heavy, but I'm inspired. It's time to move forward.