Parents of the Year? Probably Not.

Thursday, June 16: Sister's Wedding Rehearsal and Rehearsal Dinner

Friday, June 17: Sister's Wedding (We were Matron of Honor, Flower Girl, and Usher/Dance Entertainment. More stories/photos later.)

Saturday, June 18: Sister's Wedding Breakfast and Time with Relatives

Sunday, June 19: Father's Day. Day split between both of our parents' homes.

Monday, June 20, 10:32am: David says, "Did we forget something this morning?" Me: "Sofia's doctor's appointment!". Yup, we forgot to take our daughter to her 2-year check-up. I called the clinic immediately and apologized profusely. We were able to reschedule for Wednesday morning (which is her actual birthday). I have no excuse: it's summer, so I'm not working, and I only have one child to keep track of. I hope this is not an indication of how the rest of the week is going to go...ha!

Flood

That top photo? That was the restaurant where David and I had our wedding reception. In fact, many of our wedding photos were taken where you now currently see all the water. The photo below it? Many other of our wedding photos were taken in the park that used to be in the lower section of that photo, again, covered now in water. David proposed just to the south and slightly west of where that photo was taken. (These photos were taken in an aerial fly-over, facing east.) If you have our Christmas card picture from last year, save it--all of that area where we had our family portraits taken is now submerged as well.

My city--our city--is drowning. There are numerous--most of them unforseen--reasons why this is all happening, but suffice it to say, it can only be described as sad. Our home is safe, my in-law's home is safe, and if the levees hold, my parent's should be safe as well. But many are not. People are losing their homes, their businesses, everything. Some of our schools are even in jeopardy. The community has pulled together (I should clarify: The community has pulled together for the most part. I love this place--it's my home-- but sometimes the mindset of people here frustrates me--but that's a topic for another day) to do it's part, and we've had the help of the National Guard, and government officials, but so many things are still unknown. This is only the beginning--the Corps of Engineers hasn't even reached it's maximum release from the Dam yet. It's like anticipating a death--it's been slow, agonizing, and you don't really know how bad it's all going to be when it's over. We've been told the water could stay well above the flood stage at least until August.

And it's not just our city that's going to feel the effects of this--everyone south of us is going to be experiencing this as well, to a degree. In a way, portions of our community have sacrificed themselves for the sake of the larger, more metropolitan areas south of here. If our flooding wasn't controlled, the entire southern half of our city would have been wiped out and there would have been an even bigger disaster for those larger cities along the river to where it meets the Mississippi. I understand it from a logical standpoint, but my heart hurts nonetheless.

The river has always held a special meaning to David and to me. Our first date was along the walking path that ran alongside the river. David proposed to me on the banks of the river. We were married on the river aboard the beautiful Riverboat, which now sits docked in a safer place, awaiting when it will again sail. Our reception was at the restaurant that used to be river-side. We brought Sofia to the same walking trails for stroller rides. We showed her where Mama and Daddy had so many milestones in their relationship. We had her 1-year portraits and family pictures taken down there in tribute to the river's special meaning to us. I know the water will recede, but I also know that things will never look the same.

I mourn what used to be, but also know that for as much as I love this river, I must also remember it is not our river. It does not belong to us, but rather, we belong to it. It is a powerful part of Mother Nature and we must learn to respect its force. Afterall, we of this city have chosen to live, work, and build our lives alongside it. It will go where it wants to go and do what it wants to do. Water cannot be clenched in the fist of your hand.