hurricane ike [charles and wanda]

© slight clutter photography

Charles and Wanda have been married for 58 years. They used to look at the stars together as teenagers and then finally "knew" they were meant to be after writing letters back and forth while Charles was in the military. They've been through a lot together, not to mention numerous hurricanes -- none quite like Ike, however.

Their house got completely flooded by the surge during Hurricane Ike, and now there is sewage coming up on their floors. They lost most everything -- furniture, electronics, clothing. They also lost many of Wanda's collectibles. (When I arrived at the house, among the debris carpeting their lawn was probably over eighty ruined beanie babies. It was a strangely sad colorful accent to what was otherwise full of blacks, browns and grays.) They lost much of what makes up a "home" - but the loving foundation is definitely still there.

Even with all of her and Charles' losses, Wanda gets most saddened by the loss of $250 worth of clothes (bought at 95% off) that she intended to donate to poor boys and girls in La Porte. She wishes she had taken the clothes over earlier. Wanda truly is a beautiful person, a giving person, a person with her priorities as ideal as they come.

Charles and Wanda are completely endearing. I checked in on them today, and was pleased to see that they had a grandson and a friend at their house helping in the clean up. I told them I'd check on them again when I get back from my trip. I'm determined to adopt them...if the powers that be allow for it. :-)

(As Mayor White has stated...we shouldn't wait for someone to organize volunteer efforts. There are plenty of folks like Charles and Wanda in need of clean-up help. If you live in Houston, have time in the coming weeks and are looking for a way to help out, grab some gloves, a trash bag or two and some water and head to any of the coastal communities. Plenty of folks in Seabrook and beyond with significant damage.)