Anniversary Shmanniversary

Welcome, one and all, to the two-year anniversary of the annihilation of my way of life. Greetings from those who lost every trace of normalcy twenty-four months ago. Two years ago - and exactly two hours from now - the simple pleasures.. the joy of life.. were swept out into the Gulf of Mexico. At least for me. So, let's not start donning those party hats just yet - okay?

Let's talk about another milestone, instead. Let's talk about that looming mental health crisis we heard so much about in the days and weeks and months following Hurricane Katrina. It's been about six months now since it stopped looming and began to seep into every dark crevice of my mind and heart. Today it would totally consume me if not for the need to survive. I would surely lose my mind if the laundry stopped... or if my children didn't scrape a knee and need some aloe and a soft word... or if there weren't bills to pay.. and dogs to feed... grass to mow... floors to sweep. Life consists of endless mundane chores strung together by the occasional minor crisis.

My son, George, is sitting with me this morning talking about what this great anniversary means to him. It isn't what you're reading in the news this morning, I assure you. No, George tells me that today is nothing but a reminder that for the past two years we have been forgotten. He woke up this morning to rousing renditions of 'City of New Orleans' and moving footage of the destruction in his own hometown -- with voiceovers that never at all mention his hometown by name. With tears in his eyes and the softest voice this ten-year-old has ever mustered, he told us: "It's been two years and they still don't know we got hit. They're talking about everyone else - again."

My other son is more easily influenced - perhaps the year between the two boys makes that much of a difference.

"What does the anniversary of Katrina mean to you, William?"

"It reminds me of what the hurricane did to the city of New Orleans."

I'll mark this anniversary in my own special way this year by a return to the blogging world. I still have nothing of any great importance to share. But as long as our lives continue to revolve around Katrina and the aftermath... as long as every dream and nightmare I have involves the flood... I will continue this blog.

"Is that all you know about Katrina, William?"

"Oh no. I remember alllllll about Katrina - but I remember that every day. It's just that I remember all the New Orleans stuff on the anniversary 'cause it's all over the news."