OT- Hard to believe it has been four years today......

Totaly off topic, but today is a really reflective day for me.  So hard to believe that four years ago today, Katrina's eye came ashore in Bay St. louis, Mississippi and wiped my house off the map.  Four years ago I came home to this.......


This below is where we live now.  For us it is not about a building or a house, it is about a victory.  Even with the crooked insurance companies, we still recovered and are in a better place.   We are SO THANKFUL to have come back from the mess above!




That was hte absolute lowest point in my life.  Having to go back to where your kids are evacuated and tell them it is all gone is a horrible feeling for sure. I really thought I would never have a home for them again.  No way could we come back from this.   I was so miserable, just out of a really bad relationship, and clueless as to the direction for my life.  But I had my three amazing kids and a great job and my company transferred me to Mobile, Alabama where i met my husband.  He is adopting my kids, ALMOST FINAL!!!!  YIPPEE, and after four years of insurance battles, red tape, and mental battles, we are all in a much better place.   

Even after being screwed by my insurance company, i am living in a beautiful home and am blessed beyond measure.  i am so grateful!  I wouldn't have been able to have my RNY if i hadn't met my hubby either.  I had no insurance and it was just not an option.

Point of this long story is that the worst thing to ever happen to me and my kids has turned into the BEST and we are in a much better place now.  I am with my true soulmate, and my kids have an amazing dad.  Plus i got two beautiful stepdaughters in the deal! 

My heart still breaks for those still trying to recover or those who lost friends and family members. 

This is the reason my hubby and I started our charity, Eyeofthestormrelief.org.  We never want anyone else to go through the dispair after a didaster like my family did.  Ike kept us so busy last year, but it felt amazing for me and my boys to give back.  We depended on the kindness of others when we had nothing but three days worth of clothes to our name.  And people were so generous.  Thankfully, no one has needed us this year, but we are ready to load a truck and go if something hits.   

Just please keep those who lost in your thoughts and prayers this weekend.  For some it is still very painful and they are still living in Katrina trailers and fighting insurance to rebuild.  I know i am one of the lucky ones to be in a better place finally, but I will NEVER take that or my life for granted.  God had way bigger plans for my little family.  Now we have one big extended family and I am 100 pounds lighter and healthier and life has never been better! 

I know this is not related to RNY, but it is something i am so passionate about so thanks for letting me share.  i do not think i would be on this board were it not for Katrina.  i never had the strength or courage to battle the weight issues before.  It took having a hubby who told me I was gorgeous at 325 pounds to bring the confidence I needed to have this surgery. 

Funny how when something happens in life, you have NO WAY of seeing the long term effects it may have! 

All i can say is WOW!! You are 360 degrees inspriational!! That is wonderful that you are helping others in their time of need!  So glad your story has come to a great place! I am a firm believer in everything happens for a reason, glad you found your soulmate!! lisap 

Thank you very much.  I just want people to know that no matter how bad things look, even when you are sitting in the middle of the street looking at the pile of rubble I was looking at, things can turn completely around!  I never would have guessed it, but they did. 

That is part of why i want to be healthy.  i feel like i owe it to myself and my family, and to God to be the best i can be and not take a THING for granted EVER AGAIN! 

Oh and material things really do become SO UNIMPORTANT!

I think the quote below your ticker says it all. You are a strong, brave woman and have much to be proud of.

Congratulations on taking a seemingly impossible situation and turning it into a wonderful life and best of all being so humble and grateful.

Best to you always,

Denise

Denise,
funny you mention strong.  I never see myself that way.  But I fee like my kids are SO AMAZINGLY strong.  I swear it was because of them that i was able to hold it all together during the bad parts. 

May God continue to bless you and your family for many more years to come!!!! It is inspiring to see someone come back fighting and win after going through all of that.

Thank you very much. 

Thank you for that really nice post.  My DH and I were visiting Virginia/Tennessee during Katrina and it was so hard knowing we could just fly home and away from all the devastation, but so many had to stay and endure.  But endure you have!

If i remember correctly, the bad weather and tornadoes went WAY north and into Tennessee! 

You give new meaning to the words what doesn't kill us only makes us stronger.  Thank you for this post and reminding us of all the people still suffering.  I can't even imagine having to tell my children that are home is gone.  I'm so glad you had the courage to pick yourself up and start a new life and that your family is better off for it.