Katrina
That was her name— the name of the hurricane. The storm of the century. Ironically, the great storm that tore everything apart ended up bringing people together. I was only nine years old when I experienced the worst hurricane of my lifetime— Hurricane Katrina. The hurricane whose name still sends shivers down so many people’s spines to this day.
Oddly enough, I can’t remember much of the actual storm. I slept through most of it. However, what I do remember is the aftermath: trees ripped apart— limbs jaggedly snapped from the trunks and thrown around the yard, light rain, and a grey sky is how the day ended after the worst part was over with. We didn’t know what the next couple of weeks would hold.
Firstly, there was unimaginable heat. Secondly, no power. The nights were unusually dark and filled with Mississippi’s usual humidity. The air was so thick, you could feel it gripping even the finest hairs on your body.
In the midst of this time, I saw my community (Foxworth ) pull together in ways I’ve never seen before (and haven’t witnessed since). My paternal grandmother was one of our nearest relatives with a gas stove. During that time, electric stoves were more popular, and my parents fell victim to the electric stove hype (thankfully, they’ve learned better and now have a gas stove). My dear Mama Ardessie’s (rest her soul) stove fed the entire community for weeks. My mom pitched in to help cook biscuits and homemade syrup (one of my favorite dishes). Mama Ardessie cooked heaping pots filled with grits and scrambled eggs for breakfast. Even though we were in the midst of uncertainty, my grandmother’s house was filled with chatter and laughter. You wouldn’t have known we were just hit by a catastrophic hurricane.
During such a trying period, I saw goodness. I saw kindness. I witnessed smiles on the faces of seemingly grumpy neighbors. I saw those who appeared aloof engage and become eager to help others. If I could name one season that fully represents the embodiment of Mississippi, it was the season of Katrina— where nothing else mattered but helping your fellow neighbor not only survive— but thrive in unfathomable conditions.
