A Story from Katrina

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The Friday Morning Story

September 30, 2005

* A Story from Katrina *

While en route to New Jersey, I was stopped in traffic on Interstate 81 just below the Virginia state line involving a tanker truck hauling a hazardous load that developed a leak which meant that we weren't going anywhere for several hours.

After being told by the state troopers that we would be sitting still until the clean up was completed, I set my brakes on the truck and got out to stretch my legs. Other truck drivers did the same and at one point there were 5 of us standing there by my truck complaining.

Sitting right beside me in the left lane were two elderly people in a Silverado pick up truck which was loaded quite well. The man, Joe, lowered his window and asked what was going on regarding the traffic situation.

Soon we were all talking with this couple. I mentioned that if I had known we were going to be stuck in traffic, I would have bought something to drink because I was becoming thirsty.

The lady, Anna, said that they had plenty of water and sodas in the cooler in the bed of the truck and offered everyone something. While she was back there, she said that she had plenty of tuna salad made up, and asked if we would be interested in a sandwich. After some urging from Joe, we agreed to a sandwich. While Anna was making the sandwiches on the tailgate of the truck, she was singing like a songbird.

To be close to 70, (I guess), she had a remarkable voice. When she finished making the sandwiches, and putting everything up, Joe raised the tailgate of the truck to close it. I noticed a Mississippi license plate on it.

I inquired as to what part of Mississippi they were from. Joe said Biloxi. Knowing that Biloxi had been ravaged by hurricane Katrina, I asked if they sustained any damage. Joe said that they lost everything except what they had on and what was in the pickup.

All of us drivers tried unsuccessfully to pay them for their drinks and the sandwiches. They would have nothing to do with it. Joe said that their son was living around Harrisonburg, Virginia, and that they were going there. He was in the real estate business and that there was a home that became open and that they were going to start all over there. Starting over at their age would not be easy.

I will soon be 48 years old, and I have to say that I have never eaten a tuna sandwich with side orders of reality and humility. These people lost everything except the pictures, important documents, and some clothes. Joe had managed to get their antique heirloom grandfather clock into the bed of the truck and Anna got her China and silverware, but that was all.

These wonderful people lost practically everything they owned and still would not accept any money for their food and drinks. Joe said that "it was better to give than it is to receive."

When Katrina hit, they sought refuge behind a block wall that he had built years ago, and they watched their belongings and their home disappear in hurricane. Joe said that during all this he had one hand holding onto Anna and the other holding on to God. Their truck and themselves came out of Katrina unscathed.

As I stated before, Anna was singing a song while making the sandwiches. The song is titled "I know Who holds tomorrow," an old gospel song. She knew every word and was quite a gifted singer of it. Have you ever heard it?

The chorus of this song is, "Many things, about tomorrow, I don't seem to understand. But I know who holds tomorrow, and I know Who holds my hand." There is no doubt in my mind, Who was holding both their hands.

I have read many stories that have touched my heart, but this one I personally was involved in. Forget all of the politics that the TV and news focuses in upon and think about people just like Joe and Anna. I know that these two elderly people got to this old boy and I will always remember them.

~ The author is Mike Dowdy from Hartselle, Alabama ~