The Calm Before the Storm Calm. The calm before the storm. The moment before everything changes. The dark storm clouds gathered up in the distance as the sky grew darker and darker and darker. The temperatures dropped, and the air suddenly became still as though commanded by a higher power to do so. An eerie feeling swept across the entire Gulf Coast - the entire country - as people anxiously and silently waited for the coming of Katrina. August 29, 2005 - the day that changed everything. Watching my favorite show “Oswald,” nibbling on a pack of fruit snacks, sipping a juice box, I enjoyed the only things that crossed my mind that day. The news reports and alerts constantly going off appeared to be grown-up things that my parents would
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At this time in my life, I never had a worry or concern in my mind. Being the type of child who would hide behind my parents’ legs, I never liked the kind of attention that came with being so young; consisting of constant glares from people waiting for you to misbehave or do something incredibly cute, the expectations to not be nervous or shy but rather be the star of the show. Even though I always seemed oblivious to what went on, I always knew that if something bad happened justice would be served, if destruction and tragedy happened there would be recovery and healing, and most importantly if a monster came to get me my parents would be there to protect me. I had often imagined life as being perfect and idyllic, because I never had to see the real world and the cruel circumstances and details that filled it. My parents, some of the best that anyone can ever ask for, protected me and sheltered me from this harsh reality. I did not know at the time, but on this day my innocence started to disappear. As the stormed raged on outside, I continued to dance around our house because even though the power might have been out, fear never crept into my mind. I looked over at my half asleep dog and asked, “What’s wrong Foster?” The only reply? A little movement of his head before he dozed back off. Little did I know, but this protection from reality helped me make it through this
At this time in my life, I never had a worry or concern in my mind. Being the type of child who would hide behind my parents’ legs, I never liked the kind of attention that came with being so young; consisting of constant glares from people waiting for you to misbehave or do something incredibly cute, the expectations to not be nervous or shy but rather be the star of the show. Even though I always seemed oblivious to what went on, I always knew that if something bad happened justice would be served, if destruction and tragedy happened there would be recovery and healing, and most importantly if a monster came to get me my parents would be there to protect me. I had often imagined life as being perfect and idyllic, because I never had to see the real world and the cruel circumstances and details that filled it. My parents, some of the best that anyone can ever ask for, protected me and sheltered me from this harsh reality. I did not know at the time, but on this day my innocence started to disappear. As the stormed raged on outside, I continued to dance around our house because even though the power might have been out, fear never crept into my mind. I looked over at my half asleep dog and asked, “What’s wrong Foster?” The only reply? A little movement of his head before he dozed back off. Little did I know, but this protection from reality helped me make it through this