The last time I saw Gulfport, MS, was in June, not quite three months ago. It was as it usually is: part beach town, part tourist town, part trashy town. I see what I always see there: souveneir shops with shark-mouth entrances boasting cheap swimsuits and beach towels; casinos glittering with neon LCD screens; hotels with blinking vacancy signs lighting up the night.
We're visiting my grandparents - good southern people who will make me eat loads of gumbo and banana pudding, and with whom I will watch the pre-recorded 6 o'clock news at 8 o'clock at night. I will smile as Granny pulls a half-used tissue from some hidden spot up her shirt sleeve, and laugh as Gramps asks me once again how to operate his brand-new digital camera.
Before the trip is over, I will walk with my family along the beach by the ocean, very careful to step over both sand castles and broken glass. I will also take a guided tour of Biloxi, a town we always visit, but have never really known much about. I will slurp a cheap sno-cone from a vendor on the beach, and get tired of it halfway through.
I will do all these thing, and leave, never once giving thought to the possibility that this town I'm so familiar with - this town my grandparents have always lived in - might not be there when I return.
And now it isn't there. It's gone - almost all of it. Watching the news these past few days has not only made me very sad, but a little apprehensive as well. Are my grandparents still okay? Why wouldn't they just evacuate when they were supposed to? How will the town survive? Who will be able to live there now?
The last I heard, my grandparents are alive, and their house (about 3 minutes from the beach) is still standing. Yes, they have plenty of yard damage and debris, a tree through the roof of their garage and one blocking their driveway, and some water in the house, but they're alive. And for that I'm grateful.
9 comments:
My aunts and uncles live on the coast in LA and FL. Fortunately my aunt and uncle in LA left to visit my grandmother last week, so they weren't in harms way. Their house on the other hand...
Why couldn't they just call it Hurricane Get The Hell Out of the Way?
Em! I am so sorry to hear about your grandparents. I'll be praying for them and keep me updated.
I've got a lot of family down in that region as well - I haven't visited or seen any of them in a long time, so your post really helped me to focus my thoughts and prayers.
I hope your grandparents pull through this tragedy with as much strength as possible. I'm sure there will be more good news on the way, but it's always tough to find amidst all the tragedy.
It's scary how in one instant everything can change. Prayers for your grandparents and to all effected.
I'm so glad they survived!
I wish they would have evacuated.
I hope they have what they need for the time being, and I hope you can see them soon.
Good to hear it.
Man, that is really hard. Disasters like this really puts life in perspective; we really take so many little things for granted. I'll be praying for you and your family, and I'm glad your grandparents are safe.
We prayed as a youth group yesterday night for the people affected. Our hearts go out to all there. Glad your grandparents are alright. :)
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