Deep Thoughts by Viv Edition II

The first edition of Deep Thoughts by Viv was light hearted. This time I am going to dig deeper, but first let's have a light one.

It takes a big man to cry, but it takes a bigger man to laugh at that man.
by Jack Handy

Thank you for your comments, emails, calls, texts.
They meant so much to me knowing you were thinking of me.

This past weekend was a tough one for southeast Texas. We suffered a hard blow from Hurricane Ike. I am luckily 22 miles north of downtown Houston. My parents and my sister's homes were both under mandatory evacuations. They evacuated to my home which became the makeshift bunker. I purchased supplies to carry us over 48-72 hours without power and such. Shane, boarded up the window in our most interior room. We stayed up late Friday evening watching the news in the living room and around 12AM we started having effects including power failure. It was our cue to make our way to the bunker to brace ourselves. We said a prayer, some slept while others slept lightly awaking every 30 minutes or so.

It was about 11 AM Saturday before we ventured out of the bunker into the rest of the house. We had a leak in the roof, but it was still a little rough to head outside and see exterior damage. About, 3PM we went outside to see a sea of shingles, trees and an odd fishy scent. That is all, we were safe. We did not have power till early Sunday evening. That is when I got my first visuals of what had happened in our city and surrounding area. It was breathtaking.

There is still over 1 million people in Houston and surrounding areas with no power. I heard it took a while to get FEMA efforts organized to begin supplying living necessities to those who needed it. By yesterday our home was back into full action, cable, internet, and even milk. I feel terrible for those that have suffered and continue to suffer. I would like to donate my time, but with Lil' Buster out of school the entire week there is not much I can do as far as offering my time. I have sent out texts to friends that I know are without power offering my home for anything they may need from a hot meal, to just even washing clothes.

Galveston area has suffered a severe amount of damage. The island is unlivable. When I first moved to Texas, the island was usually the butt of my terrible beach jokes. I came from the emerald seas of the Atlantic in South Florida. I was spoiled for 14 years living by a beautiful beach. As my years pass in Texas I began to find the beauty in Galveston. It was my beach. The beach I have here in my home of Texas. My Aunt and Grandmother had their ashes sprinkled over the Atlantic. The beach has since become a sacred place to me. My connection to them, where when I visit the ocean any ocean they are always thought of with warm memories.

Galveston has always been my escape to fun, sun, sand and laughs. The place I go breathe the salty air I love. I hope and pray that time will heal this area. Even though the water will always be brown, it is my beach.....

Bike stroll along the Galveston Seawall FEB 08
My Dad, Shane, Lil' Buster,

Me Swimming in Galveston Bay preparing for a tri MAR 08
Me in the blue swim cap

Port of Galveston leaving on a cruise MAR07
Lil' Buster & my Mom

My Parents at Galveston Bay in San Leon MAY 05
My finger in the picture

Renting a convertible bug to spend the day in Galveston MAR 07
Rita & Me

Lil' Buster at the Galveston Train Museum MAR 07

My Mom's birthday at Kemah boardwalk overlooking the bay FEB 06
My Mom & Lil' Buster

Riding the train around the bay at Kemah Boardwalk MAY 05
Lil' Buster & Shane

5K Race in Galveston OCT 07
Lil' Buster & Me

Galveston Bay in San Leon MAY 05
My Dad & Lil' Buster
gotta build that alcohol tolerance early, totally kidding people

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