There are moments in our lives that we will never forget.
For me, that moment will always be August 29, 2005, the day I survived Hurricane Katrina.
My family and I rode out the storm in Waveland, not in my childhood home in Bay St. Louis, for my dad said it would have been more dangerous than where we stayed, and he was right.
My childhood home lost its roof to a tornado and the rest of the home was submerged in water for almost a week.
I remember wading in waist high water, dodging floating furniture and high winds and just wondering in general if we would survive.
By the grace of God, we endured safely. I remember walking outside and down the street towards the beach.
The destruction was like nothing I have ever seen. Homes were flattened or obliterated. The only piece left of my grandparent’s home was a concrete slab. Many, many people lost their lives on Aug. 29.
However, there were many bright spots after that day. A community came together to help each other through one of the darkest times in Mississippi’s history.
I remember witnessing volunteers from across the country arrive with supplies to help us get by.
It is these memories that surfaced when I heard about the destruction from Tuesday’s tornado in Marion and Jones County.
There is a sadness that comes with seeing your home destroyed, but it’s not material possessions that matter. It’s the bond between human beings.
I give thanks for people like Picayune resident Belinda Larson, who is donating her time and energy to bring donations to victims of last week’s tragedy.
Surviving a major hurricane taught me a number of things, but perhaps most importantly, I learned about the goodness in people and their willingness to help their fellow man.