Reflection: Harvey 1 YR

Related Reading:
​Hurricane Harvey ~ A Message Of Hope
Heart Of Texas ~ #HoustonStrong
​Open Letter ~ Dear Mother Nature: 
Re-Building: Our Human Essence. ​
The Heart's Hajj. 
The Pilgrim's Feet 
Recovery
Human Morality: DACA Day 
Reflection: Houston's Courage 
Prayer For Healing 
Alignment
The Spirit's Strength

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As I close my eyes and drift away to a land where there is love, health, peace, and blessings. I wanted to take the time to think and reflect.

     It has been a year since the event of hurricane Harvey, that took place in Texas. Affecting many regions of the state that are not normally prone to hurricanes, or prepared through infrastructure for a hurricane. One of the regions was Houston, Texas.

     This one year anniversary was a day of deep reflection, with moments of fragility, anguish, a sense of hope and renewal. The day took me back to the initial first reaction of first hearing about Harvey. Feeling a sense of urgency, but not really understanding the severity. While finally taking a leap and deciding that I needed to be in Houston. The irony is that I was able to stay in a luxury hotel as rates were reduced due to the hurricane, but also still be able to be present, be with the communities that had been affected, and witness damage first hand. In a sense to witness two very different environments. To really understand the devastation, you had to see the impact for yourself. But what gave me the most hope, was to see the courage of communities, organizations, and leadership working together, to ensure that the displaced were served. 

     The crisis overlooked political opinion, where one came from; race, religion, class, gender, and so on. Those affected were served, and those who escaped from the damage were the first to offer their services. 

     While a year has gone by, damages, destruction, have been restored, rebuilt, but the reconstructions also reveal how long it does take to rebuild. The process is slow, let alone getting the funding from Government agencies to cover the costs for repair. We could complain, and individuals do possess the right to do so. Are funds being used properly, and also what is happening to the home owners who were not insured for natural disasters? What about the Bayou's, or dams? Have they or are they being assessed, prepared to see if improvements to infrastructure can be made?

     When all is said and done I'm grateful that I did decide to visit Houston during this fragility period. Live I've written earlier, friends / family can be there for you when you have everything, but true friends / family are revealed when they stay with you through the tough times, where you struggle, or adversity. 

As I walked the streets, took in the sights and sounds, offered a lending hand where I could, with every breath I gave my heart beat for you Houston, I came for you.  

Dedication: These thoughts are dedicated to all of the communities, individuals, who were affected with the Hurricane Harvey throughout Houston and Texas. This event revealed how everyone can truly come together as one when there is a common goal, I continue to hope for unity as the city has recently become divided over issues such as the U.S / Mexico border crisis, and the border children. May you continue to flourish as the diverse, successful city that you are.

And to my children to who also supported me as I took this decision, to make the efforts and to look after each other through this delicate time.

My thoughts to share with love & kindness! :) 

Further Reading
*ESPN - Watt continues to aid Houston 1 year after Hurricane Harvey

​*Accu Weather - How the trauma of Hurricane Harvey plagues some survivors' mental health 1 year later

*KPRC2 Houston - Rockport: A year after Harvey

Notes: These thoughts were originally hand written on August 25th, 2018.
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