Hello all! Sakura has been gone for a while, thanks to the wonderfulness (BIG SARCASM ALERT) of Hurricane Katrina. My family and I escaped the storm all right; we only lost our entire downstairs to 2 feet 4 inches of floodwater. We just got power back the other day, so I've been working like crazy to check in with people, including my friends on Gaia.
It has been HOT. xp For those who don't know, I live in Pascagoula, Mississippi, and it's been muggy here. We've had an average temperature of 92, but with the humidity, it feels like 107 degrees Fahrenheit. xp And when you've been working in that heat all day and have to climb into bed with no power, no light, and no A/C, it can be pretty bad, even with the windows open. However, I am just thankful to be alive, to be healthy, and to have a form of a home in which to live. To quote Abenobashi, "Being human, having your health. That's what's important."
My fiance, Wendell, only got a foot of water in his home, but that's enough to ruin wood floors. Worst of all, he and both his parents are at work all day, so they can't work on the house. His 14-year-old brother, 18-year-old brother, and grandfather are home during the day, but the 18-year-old and grandfather do nothing but sit around and smoke all day, and the 14-year-old can't do it all by himself. More than likely, his house will be condemned and torn down. Wendell has been staying with my family and I, and he's done so much work on our house that it breaks my heart to think that he'll lose his house.
The town is getting better, though. Most of it has power, and the curfew is only from 6 AM to 8 PM. I live about a mileish from the beach (it's about a 30 minute walk from my house to get to the beach). It's sad, though, because all along the beach and in the neighborhoods near it, there is nothing left. Even the road has been taken up in places.
People who read this who aren't affected by this storm, please donate to help people. There is charity stuff going on everywhere. Please help in any way that you can. I can't tell you how grateful I am to all the people who have donated money, supplies, and even service to my family, my community, and me. Also, please don't take the little conveniences in life for granted. Cherish your power, cherish your ice and cold, clean, drinkable running water, cherish you working cell phone signal, cherish your air conditioning, and cherish the home you have in which to live. There are so many people out there who are less fortunate than you and I who are going on without any of these small luxuries. I know people who lost loved ones, animals, and entire homes. We're picking up the pieces and getting our lives back together, but it's only because of all the help we're receiving.
To those who have already donated, thank you, and may God bless you for it every day you walk on this earth.
Anyway, I have work to do, laundry to wash and hang to dry, and a life to put back in place. Until next time, sayonara.
SakuraMota Community Member 
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