Katrina

I'm glued to the television. I just can't believe the devastation shown on every news channel. The gulf coast looks more like a war zone than the scene of a hurricane. My heart aches for the people that are suffering from this disaster.

I don't understand why so many people didn't evacuate when they were ordered to. I understand that some couldn't, whether due to illness, lack of transportation, or whatever. But there are many people that chose to stay, and I don't understand that. Of course, the only natural disaster that I've really been exposed to is tornadoes. Being from the Midwest, tornadoes are the fifth season of the year. You just get used to spending time in your basement listening to the radio, flashlights in hand. Tornadoes can't be predicted, though. Now the meteoroligists can give you a few minutes warning, but that's about all. I don't understand having days and sometime weeks worth of warning, and still choosing to do nothing.

But that's not for me to understand. That's not for me to judge. I'm not in their shoes today.

Today, these people need our help. I can't go down there. I can't bring food, shelter, or drinkable water myself. But I will do what I can. I will pray, and assist financially.

I ask you all to also help in whatever way that you can. A bottle of water is cheap, and a prayer is free.

American Red Cross