Do you remember where you were, five years ago today?

I remember standing in the Shell station at Carrolton and Earhart on Friday August 26th. In a remarkable moment of clarity, I told Bryan we should go to my parents’ house on Saturday, just in case. The storm was predicted to go over Florida but with my being on maternity leave, I did not think it would be a big deal to go spend the weekend with my parents.
I remember being in my parents’ living room, watching a black and white battery operated television, desperate for the helicopter camera to pan over Uptown. Christian was nine weeks old and very close by. He benefited from Katrina in that living with grandparents meant there were plenty of arms to hold and love him when I was tired.
I remember the phone ringing a lot with people calling, worried, and wondering if we were safe. We were fine, without power or air conditioning, but fine nonetheless. My sister had to stop my six year old nephew from watching the news; it was making him worried for his aunt.
I remember receiving pictures of friends’ devastated houses, viewing the pictures on my parents’ computer. Those pictures made it feel very real, very close and I wondered about our house.
I remember when we found out about our house. I was in my parents’ carport, washing my car, when Dad called to say he’d made it through the barricades. He reported that the water had been to our top step. Everything in the shed, the air conditioner and water heater were ruin but nothing in the house had been damaged.
I remember hearing Green Day’s “Wake Me Up When September Ends” every time I got in the car. The song described my wish to escape the sadness and wake up when it was over.
I remember sitting in the Sears parking lot, hearing Mayor Ray Nagin say come home. He would later rescind the offer due to Hurricane Rita. Even still, for the first time in three weeks, it felt like the nightmare would be over soon.
So, if you wonder do I remember where I was on August 29th, 2005, yes I do.