Katrina. Two years. I couldn’t really face it today. I avoided the news and the radio. I just didn’t feel like facing it. I didn’t need to. We’ve faced it every day for the last two years, so today can serve as a reminder for those who didn’t live it or for those who lost someone close to them. Maybe it’s selfish, but I’m ready to move on. And then when the house was quiet today I found my mind wandering and remembering what it felt like, that panic in my gut, watching a Category 5 storm barrel toward your loved ones and your home. I still remember the look of panic and worry in my husbands eyes, I hope I never see that again. The not knowing, the uncertainty and then the devastation of knowing. What a journey. I thought about posting a few pictures of our home the way we found it 2 months after the storm, but I just can’t do it.
I know we’ve started to get "the look". The one locals give you when they find out you are moving out of state. It’s a look of disappointment in you, of abandonment. Mostly because they’ve already seen so many people go. I know we are making the right decision for us as a family, and as part of our community, we did the right thing by rebuilding our home, to help our community, to not leave it blighted. Jason was talking with Ty the other day about how weird it will be to live somewhere that the people aren’t consumed by Katrina, they will talk about other things on tv and on the radio, even in school. People won’t live in FEMA trailers or probably even know what the LRA is. It will be a whole new mindset from what we’ve been living for the last 2 years, I don’t think even we realize how consuming it is. It’s a new normal that will be recreated once we move away.
Hi 🙂 I enjoyed catching up with your blog today. I pray that your new normal will be better than you could have ever imagined. You and your family deserve it.
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Hi Lindsay, I thought of you and your family today with all of the coverage that is going on. Your family has done an absolutely amazing job at rebuilding your lives, and you DESERVE to make a decision that is right for you! Don’t let “the look” get to you, you’ve done your part.
Autumn
Lyndsay, Thought of you several times today and kept checking the blog to see if you had posted about Katrina. I wasn’t surprised when I saw this post, but I would have also understood if you avoided it as well. I can’t imagine how hard this all must be on your family, and I pray that you won’t ever have to feel that way again.
You deserve happiness and normalcy, whatever those things might be… and you deserve to look towards your bright future, not behind at what happened.
From far far away my family and I held you close to our hearts yesterday – as we have done many times in the past two years. Since first knowing of your story through the nest, i have become so thankful of your willingness to share your sadness, achning, happiness and hope with all of us on your blog. I’m sure parts of your life will always be seen through the Katrina filter, but i hope as you move on to Texas you will find a new, comfortable, normal.
So, happiness, love, strength and a BIG thank you from afar!
I’m joining the others who have said they thought of you all day yesterday. Many good thoughts, friend.
Lyndsay, my heart goes out to you and your family… and your community. I am so very proud of you. You are an inspiration to many – that you can be so strong and live your lives with such joy is inspiring. I read your post last night and couldn’t find the words to leave you a comment. I will admit, until I started reading your blog, Katrina was a devastation that happened far far away from me. When Katrina happened, my heart broke for the people affected, but it didn’t affect my life directly. You have made it a very real thing for me by bringing me, as a reader of your blog, into your life and giving me that very personal insight into the nightmare that it was for you and your community. I want to thank you for sharing your heart with us over these last two years. You have given my prayers direction. You have made Katrina very real to a California girl who otherwise just goes on day to day, not thinking too much beyond her little world.
I am so happy for you and your family – the fresh start will be good for you. I was so thankful when your house sold as easily as it did. It is definitely time for you to move on. Best wishes always.
I too avoided the television all day on 8/29. But the great news is that we closed on our new home the day after! God is good Lyndsay 😀