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RECOVERY |
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March 21, 2006 |
Volume 1, Issue 2 |
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It’s midday on Monday, August 29, 2005, and the rain has
finally stopped. We’re up in the attic
with a little bit of water, a hurricane lantern and a hammer. While it was still light, Stanley
and Alvin went down into the house to retrieve food and water. They were able to find all sorts of stuff—cold
cuts, wieners, chicken breasts, bread, condiments, chips, cookies,
cereal, thermo coolers, my Qgrill, drinks,
and LOTS OF WATER. Helicopters were flying
over the neighborhood, always going away from us. I
guess we didn’t look as if we were in dire need. Monday afternoon we feasted on cold cuts, chips, cookies,
and drinks. Night came quickly. It’s amazing how DARK it was.
No city lights in sight. My
lantern illuminated like a beacon through the hole in the roof. At one point a helicopter hovered over,
shining a light down upon us, inspecting, I guess. Daylight at last...time to go on
the roof again. I’m still to scared to go up there, but it’s getting hotter
and hotter in the attic. Finally, I
realize that if I want to live, I have to get out of the killing heat
of the attic. FEAR...All around the house
is dirty, murky, oily water. What happens
if I fall into it? Are there alligators
and snakes in the water? Probably. |
burning sun). However,
we moved around the rooftop to find the shade. Many
more people have made it to their roofs. We’re
not alone, just isolated by the four feet of water
throughout the neighborhood. Stanley, Richard, Alvin, Sherella
and I share about five feet of sleeping space on the rooftop, against
the two-story house next door. Did I
mention that the rooftop was not flat? Tuesday
night we hear on the news that the situation is getting worse and that
the water’s rising. As we try to rest,
we’re keeping an eye on the water… IT IS
RISING. Thankfully, slowly.
We know that we have to find a way to safety.
Does Sherella ever shut up? Eventually,
we all fake at sleeping, between the twisting and turning. Wednesday morning comes with a resolve by all that we have
to find a way off the rooftop. Alvin, a
chef by trade, cooks breakfast on the Qgrill for us...grilled chicken
breast. The best grilled chicken I’ve ever
had. He also grills up about five packs of
wieners. After feasting on grilled chicken
breast, we start packing up the rest of the food and make plans to get
off the roof. The helicopters are starting to pick up people all around us. We’re hopeful that they will get to us before
the end of the day. The waiting is hard. We want off the roof. Eventually,
boats start coming in the neighborhood. The
guys decide that the women should go first. Major
hurdle, the boat is in front of the garage. I’ve
got to make it from the rooftop of the house to the garage, 4-6 feet (fish
story), I’m sure. I JUMP, with the HELP OF
GOD, I’m sure, I make it to the garage. The boat pulls up next to my submerged SUV and
I step into the boat. “Red” and another
man from |
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·
New theme song: “I’M SOO EXCITED!!!” after embarking on a
new venture www.marykay.com/mslamitchell ·
Moving up the ladder in my new
business ·
Successfully helping other victims
of Katrina resolve insurance and legal issues ·
Teaching Asha tennis ·
LIFE IS HAPPENING NOW, regardless
of my plans |
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