Not all things about hurricanes are bad

In the last few day, waiting for Isaac to finish its rein on our little towns

of Louisiana, my siblings and I kept in touch via texting.

We reminisced about the hurricanes of the past, of the 

childhood experiences we had evacuating to Donaldsonville

where my oldest sister lived and her inlaws were graciously 

always taking in our large brood.

The games we played, the food we ate,

all were topics of the texts.

I also texted with the old Lee Drive neighbors through

Katie the neighbor and we too reminisced of the Katrina and Gustave

storms we spent together on Lee Drive.

I realize, as I look over the new house here on Island Drive,

seeing the other Riera family interact,

that not all things about storms are bad.

The bonding moments of memories made,

will be discussed long after the sun begins to shine and the 

temperatures incline up to the 90's again.

Technology has made it possible to be in touch with those not here

but it also has made it where there are less gatherings of 

the ones you call family and friends due to generators.

For instance, gypsy baby is doing her gypsy thing,

hanging out with all her friends in Kelmiester's apartment.

I would rather have her here...

but that's what happens with children who grow up and 

leave the nest. They make lives that are theirs.

Rosie texts about how we still all love storms and

how sick that is to say we like them.

Yet, she also shares it's because we got all together,

and always had fun. Our Daddy always made it to where we,

as children, never felt afraid, never knew the danger.

I look at Bean and hope she too never knows the dangers of 

storms and the memories are just those that puts a smile on her face,

and a happy feeling down in her heart.

Sometimes I wish the world had not changed to the world 

of generators where almost every home has one and 

there is no reason to bunker down all together in 

bigger and stronger houses that are situated farther from 

the eye of the storm.

Today, the weather begins to improve, the winds have died down

and life begins to take a turn to the normal.

The memories, the memories?

They etched in the place I call my heart.