You Loot, We Shoot

Three years ago today, Hurricane Katrina demolished the Gulf Coast.  We lost everything we owned, save for three days' worth of clothes, one guitar, a handful of photos, and our lives.

We evacuated ahead of the storm, as we always do and always will.

We had no idea what Katrina had wrought until a few days after she was gone.  The video below is of us at Maguire's parents' house, blissfully ignorant of how our lives were changing as we sat in the dark. 

While we played with a 13 month old Q, our home was going under water.  It was being battered and blown to bits.  His toys were being submerged and smashed and dragged out to the Gulf of Mexico.  His Christening gown, passed down from his great-grandfather, worn by his grandfather, by Maguire, and then by him, being swept away. 

Every photograph and journal I had saved so carefully since elementary school, warping and floating away.  The photos from college, where Maguire and I met.  Our wedding.  Our honeymoon.  The photos of me pregnant.  The photos and videos of Q's birth.  The videos of him learning to walk and talk...  all gone.  And we had no idea.

 

Night of Katrina from Megan Jordan on Vimeo. 

 

What Katrina left us was the gift of charity.  The importance of family and friends.  The impermanence of the material and the futility of regret.

As I sit here, hurricanes are forming to the south of us.  And yet we remain.  We will evacuate, but not before protecting all that we have rebuilt.  All that we have fought for and struggled to call home again.

But we will evacuate.  And with us, we will take our most precious gift from Katrina, our son Goose.  Because one other possession Hurricane Katrina took away from me was the illusion of control.  Had it not been for her, I would not have released my need to plan every moment.  I would not have opened my carefully guarded life to the unexpected gift of the right baby at the wrong time.

Thank you, Katrina, you complete and utter wench.

But Gustav and Hanna? 

Stay off of my property because looters will be shot.

And yeah, that's my dad.  And, yes, he will shoot you. 

~~~

Feed readers, if you don't see the video, be sure to click through.

~~~

Related Posts:

Victor Vito (our Katrina story)

Camille was a Lady, Katrina was a Bitch (on the 2nd anniversary)

Hierarchy of Suffering (why being a victim is a waste of energy)

Resilience or Defiance: on the Third Anniversary of Hurricane Katrina

...........................

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Comments

[feener]

such devastation, i can not imagine.

[Jennifer, Playgroups are no place for children]

I didn't realize it was today. Now I remember.

I adore that picture of your dad. I hate they why behind it, but it made me laugh out loud.

[Krystle]

Wow... I just cannot imagine. Thinking of you and praying this is not a repeat, nor anything close to it.

Love the picture of you dad, I don't blame him! I'd shoot too!

[Elaine]

Oh wow, I cannot even imagine what all you went through. I am crying reading this b/c I just can't even go there... Go away Gustav.

[karyrogers]

I'm going to use my Great Magic to keep the hurricanes at bay. Either that or lift a robot in a chair to impress the natives.

For real though, hurricanes? Please stay away.

My parents lived on the coast during Camille. My mom waited until I was 24 and out of the house before she told me this story. For obvious reasons.

[Amy @ Milk Breath & Margaritas]

Wow - I am so sorry again for what happened. One of the fist blog posts I ever read was your Katrina was a Bitch.

You guys are amazing.

[Auds]

All of us here at Casa Barking Mad will be thinking about you and praying for your safety int he path of Gustav. Hopefully it will downgrade or veer toward open water, putting no one at risk.

[Melizzard]

Good Luck with Gustave. We're keeping our fingers cross for you from Jax.

[Mandy]

Wow! I cannot imagine how awful that was for your family. I seriously cannot imagine....

[Megan - NaturallyRight]

I had no idea about your experience with Katrina. I can't even imagine going through something like that. I am glad you are able to see the positive with so much negative. I am crossing my fingers with this next round. Good luck and stay safe.

[Miss Britt]

I am so praying you all are missed.

[Heidi]

Best of luck to you! I hope you and your family are safe and that the hurricane doesn't do any horrid damage to your community, your home, or your treasures.

[Megan]

I really do try not to talk about Katrina much, save it for significant dates, all that jazz, but I sincerely appreciate your continued compassion. And when you say that you had no idea we were affected by Katrina, it makes me feel 100% better about bringing it up again because it suggests that maybe I don't drive it into the ground.

We are not victims, but it helps to remember and to remind. Well, mostly to just remember. It's something that surrounds us each and every day, yet it becomes easy to drown the personal memories.

[Robin ~ PENSIEVE]

You write with the passion of someone who's lived and learned something of value. The ability to communicate it well? A gift.

Thanks for sharing an insider's perspective. If I were Gustav, I'd stay the heck away. He obviously don't know who he's messin' with (you or your dad!)

;)

[TheAngelForever]

I can honestly not imagine all that you have been through. You certainly are a brave woman who shares what you have been through with passion. Thank you and my thoughts and prayers are with you as you get ready for Gustav to decide where he is heading.

[jenny]

Chills. shooting up my arms and across the back of my neck. You gave me chills.
We won't forget.

[anymommy]

A powerful post and a powerful reminder. There are so very few irreplacable possessions. All the same, I'm sorry you lost so much and I hope that these new forces of nature stay at sea.

[MommyTime]

Every time I read a post here about Katrina, about your resilience, about your love of life and thankfulness for it, I cry. I cry in sorrow for all you have lost, and I cry those emotional tears of "it's just too much" in the face of your incredible sense of the power of family and love. I send you peace, and love, and all the wishes possible that Gustav backs the hell away. I sympathize, am touched, send hugs.

[Janne]

Wow. I didn't realize you had lost everything...I mean EVERYTHING. I can't even imagine!

Hoping and praying that you (and us here on the gulf coast of Florida) are all spared the wrath of Gustav and Hanna.

Your post brought tears to my eyes.

[Secret Agent Mama]

What a powerful post.

That being said, I love your father!

[Llama Momma]

Wow. I had no idea.

You are amazing. Amazing. Hang on to those babies and keep us posted!

Praying for you, and all in the path of Gustav.

[Anissa@Hope4Peyton]

As I said before, I'm just praying for the safety of your family. The fear has to be overwhelming, but you are so strong to know that the most important things in life will be evacuating with you.

[Bill]

I'm just an old disabled vet that stumbled across this site. I followed Katina and the hardship she caused and prayed often for folks just like you as some helped but many turned away. You, your family, and people just like you reminded me everyday why I fought for this country even though it changed my life forever. I hope and pray somehow Gustav will spare her wrath from you all. Your strength inspires me.

[blissfully caffeinated]

Your Dad? Awesome!

Again, as it did when I read your earlier posts about your Katrina evacuation, my stomach clenched and fell in dismay at the description of your loss. I cannot imagine returning to our home to find...nothing.

Utterly heartbreaking.

I hope you are not forced to evacuate in the wake of Gustav and Hanna.

Take Care.

[ali]

i love how even though you lost everything in that bitch Katrina...you are still able to say such beautiful thngs about the beautiful thing that came out of it, your Goose.

love this post. hugs.

[slynnro]

This anniversary of Katrina is really getting to me today- my grandfather lived in New Orleans and he died a few months ago. A new hurricane reminds me that I have no one to worry about in New Orleans anymore.

Great post. Great perspective.

[Kate]

I had no idea! My parents in Key West lost their store to Wilma. While their house survived - it was still a big blow. It was the source of their livelihood, and if Katrina is a wench, the insurance industry is her bastard son.

They were lucky enough to be able to rebuild and stay in Key West regardless of their insurance problems. And they too have had to learn to appreciate what they have and not get mired down in the daily minutiae of things and petty concerns.

But Wilma only started this progression. Cancer ultimately brought that lesson home. It's the never ending storm that we've been weathering for over a year. But we just look foward to an end and a time to rebuild again. (And then I'm sure Key West will be hit with another Wilma...but at least they'll have their priorities in the right place!) Not exactly the same thing as a hurricane - but they're kind of tied up in the same category of things we can't control.

Didn't mean to deviate so much from your story. I'm amazed by those pictures, and I'm so sorry you had to lose all of those posessions with sentimental value. You have a wonderful perspective. It's a true reminder of what is really important in life.

[Shamelessly Sassy]

This was a great post. I'm stumbling it for sure. and I hate to be shallow but Maguire is a pretty hot name.

[Velma]

Oh, sweetie. What can I say? I got nothin'.

[Margaret (Nanny Goats)]

What a wonderful and moving post. MaggieDammit sent me over here. Wishing you the best this time around!

[Maria]

Wow Megan, I had no idea. Such a heartbreaking, yet wonderful post.

[Maria]

I spelled your name wrong...I know I did. Damnitt. Sorry.

[maggie, dammit]

I'm thinking about you, Megan. Thinking and writing and praying.

http://okayfinedammit.com/?p=2013

[Mrs. Flinger]

I didn't realize you lost so very much. And here you are STILL able to find wonder in all that rubble. You are amazing.

Be safe and please PLEASE let us know as much and as often as you can how you are. XO

[Angella]

I cannot believe what you have gone through, Megan. We had a house fire, but in the end lost NOTHING.

You are inspiring.

[Kaza]

We'll be thinking of your family and everyone else in the Gulf region and praying that it won't be as devastating this time. Scary stuff, but you bring so much perspective in this post.

[Pamela]

All of us at the Dayton Time will be praying for your safety, and for all that you have rebuilt in the last few years.

[we_be_toys]

Amazing to think of just how immense the destruction was and still is. And still we go on. The human spirit can be truly vast.
I'll be watching the Atlantic and the Gulf this weekend too, and praying for everyone in that area to come through safely.

Those are some beautiful kids - incredible eyes on both of them!

[chanda]

I will certainly be keeping you and your family, and everyone else on the gulf coast in my thoughts this weekend. Your story is amazing. I don't know how you lose that much and still keep perspective. Stay safe.

[Adventures In Babywearing]

I hope all is well. My aunt might be evacuating up here again just like almost three years ago- and almost three years ago I was also ready to give birth like I am now!

Steph

[JCK]

Meghan, so sorry you had to go through that. I stand in deep admiration of your strength, courage and outlook on life.

[Domestic Extraordinaire]

Wow, I am so glad that you guys were safe. And I pray that you will be safe this time around. I hope you don't have to suffer through what you already have. Hugs!

[Lizzi]

Post when you can to let us know you're safe. Thanks for sharing this.

[Missives From Suburbia]

Hoping you are all okay right now and making your way safely out of town. Keep us posted and let us know how you're doing.

[Mrs. Schmitty]

Your post broke my heart. I am so sorry for all that you lost. And your dad? He is awesome!

[magpie]

Stay safe...

[Mommy Cracked]

Megan, you and your family have crossed my mind several times this week as I've been watching the track of Gustav. I hope by some miracle it totally dies in the Gulf, but I know that's just wishful thinking. You guys have been through and overcome so much with Katrina. It still makes me cry when we take our trips to the coast...all that I remember from my beloved coast is gone. Please stay safe and keep us posted when you can.

[In the Trenches of Mommyhood]

Immediately thought of you, Megan, when I first heard about Gustav's path.
Here in MA with fingers crossed.

[sam {temptingmama}]

Stay safe friend! You're in my thoughts!

I can't believe it's been three years and now Gustav and Hanna are on the same track at Katrina and Rita. It all makes my stomach turn.

I was glued to the television in tears for weeks after, I still even google New Orleans to find out about recovery because there's just not talk about it anymore. It seems as though everyone's forgotten - until now. Until the potential for more destruction.

*hugs* I'm thinking about you guys!!

[Kim]

Wow, amazing post! I can not even begin to imagine what you have been through. Sounds like you have a great attitude towards the rough times you have had. Your children are beautiful and I must say I loved the photo of your dad at the end. Stay safe! :)