Katrina 

Katrina

I went to go surprise my mom in South Padre last Wedsday for her birthday and stayed until Saturday. The entire time I was there all I could think about were those people in New Orleans. I just wanted to get back home and find out what I could do to help. I started volunteering at one of the many shelters here in San Antonio and came across one family in particular. Along with another volunteer we tracked down some of their family and got them in touch. They have 4 children, Dwight who is 9 (and my absolute favorite), Helen who is almost 8, Jeremiah who is 4 and a baby named Becky who is 1. I can't get them off my mind. When I am at home I just want to be there. My sweet boy Dwight and his little brother Jeremiah and I were sitting reading books (with Jeremiah in my lap and Dwight next to me) when I turned and saw tears streaming down Dwight's face. I asked him what was wrong and he told me he missed his daddy. I asked where he was and he told me he was dead, he died 2 years earlier when Dwight was only 7 years old. We cried together and I just held him. I want to save him from the life I am sure he is destined to have. One of instability (all of his siblings come from different daddy's except 2 and she's with a new guy now), an unsure future and without trying to sound prejudice, gang violence and most likely being subjected to drugs. You look around the shelter and that's what you see, people that have lived through these hardships. I want to give him so much more. He's sweet and respectful saying yes ma'am and no ma'am all the time. He holds my hand when I walk around and he gives me hugs when I get there. It's emotionally draining and I am exhausted but I just wish I could do more. I know I can't save the world but I'll try my hardest to make an impact. Sensitive material coming so read no further if you wish not to. The mother shared stories of horror from what they saw in the convention center while waiting 5 days to be rescued. She told me stories of babies and the eldery having thier throats cut and of little boys being raped. It's so sad what they have been through. I feel bad coming home to my cozy little bed and having a wonderful meal to eat. I'll wake in the middle of the night and go to the bathroom that ONLY Mike and I share AND I won't have to wait in line for it. I won't have to worry if the guy beside me will snoop through my bags and steal anything I do have left over after losing my home and most of my belongings. Then we will wake in the morning and Mike will go to his secure job and he'll drive ONE of the TWO vehicles we have. We should all be thankful for what we have. Eureka (the mother) told me of how she used to have no fear and now after being through this she is so scared. She realized that in one moment you can be gone. These people are living day to day not knowing what tomorrow brings and I all can do is go day after day to help them figure their future out. Pray for them, the only thing that seperated us from being them was location.



Love
Rhobin