LETTERS I WROTE AFTER KATRINA

JLetters I wrote to our local newspaper that appeared in print. Just change Mississippi to Texas/Florida, every word still holds true

January 26^th, 2006

 

To the Editor, Sun Herald:

 

There have been many lists of heroes generated by the assault and aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, but I feel it’s important that this list be added:

 

To every woman whose last thought was of her children, first hoping they would survive and then hoping that they wouldn’t grieve “overmuch” as she went under water for the last time.

 

To every woman who lied the universal lie (“I’m fine”) when asked if they were all right.

 

To every woman who cried when a single unbroken cup or saucer from her grandmother’s china was found beneath a ton of debris.

 

To every mother who stood in long lines in the hot Mississippi sun with her small children for aid �" be it food, water, ice or funds.

 

To every woman who learned how to use a chain saw, start an old and contrary generator, who pushed a car three blocks in a gas line, and who learned to make a picnic feast out of MRE’s.

 

To every woman in Colorado who turned off CNN, and went to her kitchen window but never saw the pristine snow-capped mountains in the distance for the tears she shed for us.

 

To every woman who replaced her Dillard’s credit card with an EBT card, and foraged through tons of clothing, in the hot sun, for her children’s sizes, and whose heart secretly bled for the teen-aged daughter who may not have a Junior or Senior prom that would require the perfect dress or shoes.

 

To every woman who secretly fell just a little bit in love with every man in uniform �" from the National Guard to the Oregon Policeman,  who came, not to enforce martial law, but to rescue and assist, just like real Knights in Shining Armor.

 

To every woman who came down here because she knew in her heart that another woman needed her to come to this place and bathe her child, cook a meal, scrub her walls, or hold her while she cries the tears she hides.

 

To all of you and any I missed, God will bless you.

 

Carol A. Cashes

Woolmarket

[email protected]

 

To The Men Beside the Women of Katrina:

 

For every man who is still shaken by his inability to keep his family and home safe, never mind the size or scope of the assault.

 

For every man who cried unashamed at the total destruction to his home, his neighborhood, and his community.

 

For every man whose heart cracked as he watched his wife break her last manicured nail when she sifted or tried to remove the impossible amount of debris in her world; and, in the next instant, never loved her more as it swelled with pride when she mastered that old and cranky generator or wielded the chainsaw like a seasoned lumberjack.

 

For every man who hopes he never hears his wife cry as she did in those first days and weeks, but, is also grateful to hear it as he grieves with his neighbor who lost his wife and will never hear her cry again.

 

For every man who is deeply ashamed to be dependent on his adult children for even the basics of life �" food and shelter - never mind their willingness or desire to help, because that’s just not the natural order of things

 

For every man who prays fervently to God every night to provide the strength for just one more day; the “big picture” now being a luxury of the past.

 

For every man who is humbled by the number of people who want only to help and will always wonder if he would have been as quick to leave his home for weeks or months because another man - a fellow American - was in trouble; but knowing now, without doubt, that he will when the time comes.

 

For every man whose faith in God was tested and found, but whose faith in his government is now irreparably shaken; taking away his underlying, almost unconscious, sense of safety and security in this country in ways that 9/11 never did.

 

For every man still here �" not giving up because his wife, his children, his family, his friends, and his fellow Americans are with him every step, every day.

 

God will bless you, too, as he does all who learn and grow from life's trials and tribulations and are stronger and better men for it.

 

Carol A. Cashes

Woolmarket

[email protected]

 

   

Author's Note

I wrote these tributes after Katrina and they appeared in our local paper. The response was overwhelming and humbling. May these words touch you and give you some hope, peace and faith.

Reviews

[Julie McCarthy (juliesp..]

Beautiful
Heart rendering
Great letters

[Stella Armour]

It is amazing where inner strength comes from at times like this. If only people the world over could come together and grieve for each other all the time, and support each other as they do when faced with disasters like this the world would find peace and humility. A wonderful insight to to the suffering of both men and women Carol...a much deserved tribute to all who suffer in unimaginable pain, physical and emotional.

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

Hi Carol, just got wifi back and sent the letters to my relatives and friends in the context of Irma. They are heart-felt and give support to hearts and souls of victims and heroes. Thank you and just so you really know, you are a hero my friend. May God always bless you. Xo

[barleygirl]

Interesting details from another time but applicable to any time, as with all good writing. The best part is the way you use specific details to draw realistic & palpable portraits. I'm not crazy about dividing such feelings up as to "male" and "female" -- to me, these divisions are artificial & mostly part of one's particular POV. Good time to pull this out & dust it off! (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Carol Cashes]

I understand your point, but consider what I "told' the men...especially the generation that lost family homes: they were unable to keep their families safe, they are now dependent on their children. Specific to women: "I'm fine" is a global phrase for "not fine, but still here". a woman would cry if she found a perfectly intact piece of her grandmother's china under an entire house reduced to rubble. Also, I guess I was also drawing on a Southern perspective. It may appear to be a division, but each brings to the table unique qualities the other can never possess.

[Coyote Poetry]

Heroes are many when the hard days are here. My unit assisted in New Orleans. So many kind people came to help. Some 2000 miles. Powerful and worthwhile words my friend.
Coyote

[Carol Cashes]

As I told Jimmy, I believe they were divinely inspired and therefore I cannot claim copyrights. They were given to me to give to those who needed the comfort. I hope that Annette and Jed will change the dates and state/cities and submit them to their local papers, the words still have healing comfort.

[Coyote Poetry]

They should be my friend.

[Jimmy Yetts]

Decidedly uplifting sentiments.
Profoundly perceptive and extremely well put!

[Carol Cashes]

I have advised Annette, whose family is in Florida and Jed Johnson (Rockport, TX) who posted a declarative poem today that I hold no copyrights to these letters, and to please change dates and states/cities and send them to their local papers. Survivors need to know that someone knows their hearts and heartaches. I know this because I received in excess of 150 responses after they were printed. They need these words.

[Jimmy Yetts]

Good for you, Caring Carol!

[Carol Cashes]

These words were divinely inspired - I have no other explanation for why they touched so many. And, if in fact, they were divinely inspired, I cannot claim ownership, but must share and offer these words as the comfort they were given to me to give to others.