September 1, 2005
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The Daily News
1 Hurricane Katrina.
2 You know, it's really amazing how something that catastrophic can put everything in perspective. I've been going through tremendous amounts of emotions lately, but keeping a fairly postive head. Just the usual, you know, like we all go through. A little harder because my '05'ers are starting to leave, and I know...they don't, but I do. Cam and Lynne asked me yesterday if I hurt inside.
3 You can't hurt steel.
4 Well, let's just say that they sensed what was happening inside me, and I almost broke down. So yeah, I have to admit, it's a bit of a rough time watching them go. At the same time, I'm WAY proud of them, and WAY excited for them !
5 So mixed emotions? Yeah, but even their toughest ones are going through the exact same stuff. Mixed emotions. One minute totally euphoric, and the next, huge, heavy sighs, and a good deal of feeling alone. And when no one's around, maybe even a few tears shed.
6 All the same, it didn't take long for me to put it in perspective yesterday when I got home and witnessed the devastation in New Orleans, and the Gulf States. Hurricane Katrina is taking lives at an alarming rate, and tearing up lives beyond what any of us can possibly comprehend.
7 Already I'm setting up a relief system in my classroom, much like we did for the Tsunami. The ATFNL kids are making a Tree of Hope for the families and loved ones of the people affected by that national tragedy.
8 "We've lost our city."
Mark Morial, former mayor New Orleans.
9 What a concept. New Orleans. The Big Easy. Bourbon Street. The French Quarter. It is now literally a bowl, filling slowly with water. It's going to take years to get itself back, to say nothing of the individual stories already coming out.
10 I shall be setting up the tree tomorrow or the next day, and immediately selling stuff in class as a fundraiser. You may stop by my room with a donation, or send a check directly to the Red Cross, which is where we will be sending your contributions.
11 It put all the mixed emotions on the back burner. Time to move forward. It's okay to glance back now and again, but the only direction to head at this point is forward. Let's help any way we can. This is not business as usual; it is one of the worst natural disasters ever to hit our United States. One of the world's most fascinating and exotic cities is under water. Many families are suffering tragedies beyond our comprehension. People need medical care, water, etc.
12 Here is a brief clip from the Merc News. This excerpt was written by David Ovalle, Erika Bolstad, and Martin Merzer.
New, terrifying floods swept through the heart of New Orleans on Tuesday. Up to 15 feet of water swamped at least 80 percent of the city. Fires raged, fed by leaking gas.
Medics transformed part of the Superdome into a triage center, but water lapped at the edges of the arena. Looters roamed. The governor worked on plans to shut New Orleans--a place very close to ruin--and remove everyone still there.
13 Sometimes we need just to go out, put our own concerns and worries aside, and realize there is a big world out there, one that sometimes asks us to put it all aside and help.
14 I think the tragedy in New Orleans and the Gulf States ask that of us today.
15 You might also say a prayer or two.
16 Thanks a bunch.
17 Peace.
