7 Years

     On the gulf coast, all you have to say is Katrina, and citizens know exactly what you're talking about. I lived through it and it's a little ironic that on the same day, today, another hurricane comes through to leave a memory of what we went through seven years ago. I have been sitting in my hotel room today broken hearted, remembering all of the struggles we went through as a community and all that was lost. I am also remembering a point in my life where my faith led me and gave me hope. Sad is the only word I can think of to describe how I am feeling. Katrina was the start to many things in my life. It was the year I got my first job, the year I learned that compassion was something that not everyone had, but many did. It was the year I fell in love for the first time and the year I learned that you can lose everything and still have all that is important to you. There were so many things I learned as a life lesson that year and that I still carry with me today. It stirs many memories in me and brings tears to my eyes as I think about the past. My dear friends and family went through so much then and this hurricane brings all of those emotions flooding right back to me. Sometimes I wish there was no heartache or pain. I wish we didn't have to live through such tragedy. But then I realize that so many wonderful things came from that. My maturity, my apparent view on human life and the reality of how people act in stressful situations. For all the sorrow and hurt that it brings me to think back and wonder "what if" I can't do anything  but remember and learn from it. I do hope that all of those who are living back home where I grew up are safe and have comfort through this remembrance process and know what to do if for some chance of chaos the same situations presents itself. I love and miss my home town.

After Hurricane Katrina 

-Ashley Clarke