Of Hurricanes, Houston, and Loss: Reflections on a Rough Week
I live just outside Houston. I moved here eight months ago and fell in love with my neighborhood in Katy, and with the big city itself. Houston is where sophistication wears cowboy boots, and food snobs 
drive around in big trucks. And now Houston is the focus of national attention for all the wrong reasons. Hurricane Harvey left his water calling card, and now thousands are homeless.
My home is untouched. A little water down the fireplace and a lot of tree branches is the extent of our damage. One mile away, across the swollen creek, homes are standing in three feet of water, and neighbors gather to watch the rescues from the bridge.
An odd camaraderie exists as everyone commiserates, offers help, and sorts out the evacuees.
I feel numb. Not because of the dramatic television coverage. So many of the talking heads irritate with their hyperbolic prattle. I heard one woman announce with a bit of glee and a bit of awe, that Houston had the rest of the continental United States beat with its 49.32 inches of rain and counting. If only we got a couple more we would have Hawaii beat as well. Apparently, in 1960 or maybe 1950, they had 52.3 inches.
That makes Texans the current champions of devastation.
My husband and I walked along Mason Creek to see how it had risen. The sun was actually out, though the wind was fierce enough to stir up sand ghosts from the sidewalk. One of the reservoirs was having what they termed an “uncontrolled release” and a mile down the path from our nearest bridge, the water was rising steadily. Trucks and boats were on their way. People driving back from the grocery store were stopped on the bridge to find the home they had left safe and dry now several feet under water.
There was no warning. The water rose within an hour.
I am numb because I know what it is like to lose everything. Seeing people hold their little suitcases over their heads along with a couple of shopping bags initiates a dissociative response in me. I thought at first it was just seeing the stress on their faces. After all, who knows what lies in store for them? Homes will be unlivable for weeks.
Besides, everyone is stressed. Controlled lines wrap around the grocery stores. This is Texas so all the carbs and red meat are gone. Want fresh veggies? There are plenty. Want chips and soda? The aisle is bare. I imagine everyone in their homes, sitting in front of their televisions eating chips and dip. After all, that is what I am doing. Though to be fair, all the churches and high schools are piled to the ceiling with towels, clothes, bedding, and animal kennels brought from every corner of Katy. Took us a couple stops to figure out who would take our little offering of sundries.
I am numb because of the collective loss.
My ex-husband piled us up in a car one day and drove us to Kentucky from California. I left everything behind. Every childhood memento and family heirloom left behind so he could find somewhere to hide. He chose Kentucky randomly. I told myself for years that it was just stuff. It didn’t matter. But it was my stuff; my collection of memories from a pretty good childhood. The little Swiss music box, the doll collection, the amber necklace from Israel; these were identifiers of good times in my life.
I won them in the divorce, but they stayed at my in-laws’ cabin. Once when I asked about them, they denied all knowledge. All evidence of my childhood erased. Stolen, really. I think of the dirty flood waters 
reaching into all those beautiful and even not so beautiful dwellings. Flood waters with diluted sewage, mud, and all manner of filth smearing the antique furniture, the carefully chosen wallpaper, and paint. Scenes from a nightmare, I can’t help but think.
I am trying to find a way to help. I can’t get into Houston yet and Katy, filled to the brim as it is with big churches, has almost as many volunteers as evacuees.
Ways to help generally present themselves.
After all, I have rescued over thirty animals at this point in my life. I have housed several lost souls for a time. But for now, I am just sad. I think of Noah, stumbling off the ark, trying to get used to walking on land again. He builds a vineyard right away, which makes me realize he harbored more than pairs of animals on that boat. As soon as he can, he makes wine and gets drunk. He witnessed one of the more horrific spectacles in the Bible. I can’t help but think he had PTSD. And so will some of the survivors from this week.
So I tune out while pundits argue about Melania Trump’s shoes and newscasters search for hyperbole, and still others will post endless religious critiques of the responses of big evangelists. In my worst moments, I think there is no arrogance like religious arrogance. Instead, while rescues continue and the National Guard helicopters power overhead, I am still. I try to be with the victims in spirit. I have no explanations as to why devastating events occur. I am no longer sure that why is the right question.
If you knew why this hurricane hit, do you think you would have been able to stop it?
If you could blame someone, would that mitigate something for you? Really?
Instead, I wait and ask my Father what He is doing. Mr. Rogers’ mother told him to always look for the helpers. God always sends helpers, she said. And He has sent helpers. And this helper is willing, too. So here is a hope for restoration for all the loss. May all the children get new toys, and all the mamas’ get new couches and clothing. May all the papas’ be able to protect their little families. May all the insurance companies be honest and swift. And may this flood prove only to be a thief of things, leaving hearts and spirits intact, with
And may this flood prove only to be a thief of things, leaving hearts and spirits intact, with the courage to greet the new day.
15 Comments
sunshineandspoonsshop
The devastation in the Houston area right now is absolutely heartbreaking. Just know that you all are in my prayers.
Kristi
Amen!
This event has made me think about the Biblical flood too. I can’t imagine having to witness all those I’d given warnings to, ignore them completely and then hearing their cries as the flood waters started to rise. It had to be extremely traumatic.
Becca - A Well Watered Woman
Wow! This is beautifully written Alice! Thank you so much for this! It is true, there are always helpers, that is a good reminder in all we do. I do want to say that I am sorry you lost all of your sentimental belongings. I do know what that is like. I did the same thing just 5 years ago. Everything. All my family pictures, even of my dad as a baby. My doll collection. But even the sentimentals of my children. Their baby books, their pictures, their first pair of shoes. All in the name of me running and hiding from the deepest, darkest pit of depression one could find themselves in. I truly am sorry, it totally stinks!
keisharussell84
Absolutely beautiful post! It was as if I could feel every bit of your heart being written. I am actually from Kentucky lol. I am so very sorry that you lost all of your special belongings 🙁 I have been praying for Texas, it is so very heartbreaking. Be blessed and keep up the good work!
Chris Carter (@themomcafe)
Such a poignant and beautiful reflection. Reading your experience, your perspective on this devastation was a welcome comfort and brought tears to my eyes thinking about the impact this horrific storm brings. Thank you for sharing your ‘view’ and God’s view too. <3
Char
I can’t imagine. Thanks for sharing your heart and what you are going through Alice. It definitely helps me understand the frustration of waiting to help and the hope that help actually does some good for a pain that I cannot understand. Praying…
Sara Lewis
Thank you for sharing your pain and your hope. I have been praying and will continue to do so.
Erin @ Momma's Living Room
I was just watching a video this morning that focused less on the destruction and more on those helpers. To see neighbors helping neighbors regardless of race, religion, or any other ways America has chosen to divide itself, was truly beautiful. It breaks my heart that Harvey is happening. It’s stunning to see any footage of what that part of our country is going through. I can’t help but pray for all of those affected. Praying for you too <3
susanhomeschooling
How sad that your ex-husband made you leave behind so many personal belongings that had value to you! No wonder you know what it feels like to lose everything. I’m praying for everyone affected by the flooding.
Melissa
It’s so surreal to watch on television the level of devastation. It’s hard to wrap your head around it when it doesn’t personally effect you. Thank you for your perspective and help us who are praying for you have a better understanding. God bless and keep you safe!
April Clevenger Boyer
Beautifully and thoughtfully written. I cannot imagine the struggles so many will be enduring months- even years ahead. It is comforting to know that God’s hand is full of compassion, as well as full of power. I pray to keep the negatives from my heart, and from the hearts of others.
Amy Christensen
What a telling post about your own feelings through all the devastation. Thank you for sharing this and for being there to help whether it be a lost soul or a lost animal. – Amy
http://stylingrannymama.com/
MichaelB
Glad you are ok! I know we did a lot of imagination building activities in creative writing class but who could have imagined the society we live in today, just a few years onward. We see the scriptures coming to life that grace will abound while the love of many grows cold. The media, race baters, society destroyers, and those who would make chaos a ladder are put to shame by the rescuer and shelter workers whose empathy knows no color or bias. The good acts of the Texans are a witness to the lies of the media.
May god Restore.
Meg Weyerbacher
Thank you for this. xoxoxo visiting from Grace Girls
SunSparkleShine
It’s been heart rending to watch the devastation from afar. Thank you for sharing your unique perspective with us, Alice. Blessings,
Marva | SunSparkleShine