Life as we know it...

A trip to New Orleans, LA was very moving... I now have a clear understanding of how people's lives can be completely wiped away by a natural disaster.

An entire city has been devastated. Thankfully the French Quarter has survived with mostly some wind damage. So the culture of Mardi Gras can live on. I was releaved to see life moving, and flowing in that part of the city. Signs hang from balconies saying " Proud to be Home".
The downtown desolate from absense of life. Military vehicles lumber slowly along reminding you of a third world war scene. Military men patrol chain link fences with guns slug over their shoulders. Cars caved in from debris haven fallen crushin them beneath is weight. Glass missin from large parts of tall towers. And even more disturbing the stores that survived with less damaged.. doors boarded from where they were looted. Proof that in times of panic, people will do anything to survive.

We drove through areas that were miles and miles long. Dead grass, dead trees, sludge lines making their dark lines on the houses, buildings and cars. Windows broken, curtains whip in the wind... cars covered in a salty layer. some washed against houses and buildings, other parked in the drive of thier respective homes. Medians parked full of cars where owners thought they would be safe away from storm sewers and off the street. Broken trees jutting through rooftops. Old, beautiful buildings scared with ugly lines. Bright painted numbers on the door or near it reflect numbers of lives lost in that home, water height, even listing a dog, a cat. The contrasting paint looking like a sore with the scab ripped off, or some marking that makes this spot a "labeled part" of the horror.

You come to a stoplight.. that once turned red, yellow, green... now dead. On your right... Mcdonalds sits empty, the sign shattered across the parking lot, the doors to the kitchen swing open in the breeze. Dark lines mark the windows where water reached 6 or 8 feet high. On the left the Walgreen's drug store has plywood over the doors. A truck parked across the sidewalk, as if someone was racing for a safe place, left the door hanging open.. now corroding as salt eats its finish. The opposite corner a Pet Clinic, doors ripped off with large numbers in hot pink painted on the glass. And finally the last corner... A car lot full of once new cars, that seem to be frozen in a dusted state like an old statue, or a dust storm has coated them over. The stench coming from the street drain lets you know the dark pipes below became the final resting place of something that once lived and breathed.

Up the road a hotel towers above the horizon. Windows shattered out, drapes hanging drearily in open air. The sign missin letters... deserted vans parked under the entry canopy, the valet carts lay strewn out into the gutters. Empty streets as far as the eye can see... No dogs, stray cats or even birds in the brown crusted trees.
It's as if a bomb took all life in one swift motion.

Restaurants where the power has been restored have lines out the doors. The wait staff behind the counter look exhausted. Shortened hours have them closing at dark, for fear they will be robbed and looted. Or from lack of help to run the place. Every business with power boasts a sign " Now Hiring". Some of the people you see who appear to be locals seem in a trance.
They pack their cars, trucks and the occasional u-haul with salvaged parts of their lives and head north on I-10. Other locals proclaim thier pride and intention of rebuilding.

As you tour the city.. a eeriness creeps over you. As if there is a dampness that broods on you.
Realization strikes as you see people piling what once was their prized possessions by the curb to be hauled away. "This city may never fully return to its previous greatness." Yet one site of the swinging hammer makes you want to jump in and help. One tiny flower blooming makes you want to rush to it, washing it with clear water. Hope! That Life will return!

GOD BLESS ALL... who return and rebuild!

Age perspective...

The past few weeks have given a few reminders of life's lessons. Or maybe I have learned a lot in the last few weeks. I hope to be able to record some of that here.

On the 12th of October, my son turned 13. Perspective on age~~My youngest is now a teen. It was awesome to go see them. To share in their activities. Went to see my 14 yr old daughter march in high school band. She surprised me by hookin her arm thru mine at the ball field and introducing me to all her friends. "This is my Dad from Dallas!" It felt really good. She will soon be 15 and looks 17 or 18. Scary... She has a boyfriend now. He is 16. My first thought it to panic, but then I think.. I had a girlfriend at that age.

My son is all boy, and enjoys sports. Knows more about them than I ever will. He is in band as well, a drummer. His party was interesting to say the least. With his mom and stepdad there as well as friends. His stepdad plays football with him, takes him to games. I saved the day by takin the cake, ice cream, and papergoods and gave him cash for buying what he wants. It felt really good to have my partner with me. The kids are totally laid back about it, and love the man who loves me. He is so good with the kids!! Great memories were made!

Goin to my parents was an experience for my partner. He'd met my mom, but had not seen their home. An eclectic mix of antiques, family heirlooms, and collectables. It looks more like a country store on the interior than a house. Dad did not make an appearance, his health is not good. And there seems to be issues with his medication. Mom cooked a great sunday lunch and sent us home with leftovers. Thank God I have a southern mom! Although that does not help my expanding waistline.

The time on the road spent writing about "us", my partner and I. Talkin over hopes, fears, dreams that we share. Growth occurs from honesty and I am loving the growth we are seeing in our lives. So with the age perspective.. with aging... comes knowledge. I want to absorb as much of it as I can and apply it to my daily life so I do not repeat the mistakes of the past, but move forward across this bridge called "Life". I am grateful for the ones I love and that they love me in return.