From One Storm to Another

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The personal story of Jeffrey Ames Parks:

"My name is Jeffrey Ames Parks. I was in a terrible storm called "Katrina." What a storm it was. It was such a terrible storm; it changed my entire life - more so than I ever thought imaginable. The reader of this is probably wondering, what do I mean by this? Please allow me to take the time to explain my words to you.

It all happened on 8/29/05 at 8:00 a.m. I will always remember that date for all the days of my life. Let me just say, to wake with water all over one's head is a nightmare in itself. The water that rose all the way to the roof.

Let me introduce the loves of my life that were so traumatically taken from me within a moment's time: First off, I have the beloved mother who birthed me. She had come from Terre Haute, Indiana to visit me and my family on our 18th wedding anniversary. She arrived in New Orleans on 8/5/05 at 9:00 p.m. Then, we have my wife of 18 years, Maria Keisha Torres Parks, whom I loved with all my life spirit. Maria gave me two babies who were twins. Their names are Asia Marie Torres Parks and Chad Jeremy Torres Parks. They were each 3 years old at the time of Katrina.

So, anyway, the waters took us to the roof of our house. All five of us found ourselves waiting on the roof for a helicopter because the water was so high. I had led the way to the roof with the twins in my arms: Asia in my left, Chad in my right. My wife was holding my belt buckle while my mom held her. We were waiting for the National Guard helicopter; an accident was waiting to happen.

We waited and waited with no apparent help in sight. All of a sudden, the nearby levee gave way. Water and more water pounded upon my very soul. We were swept up and on our way into the sea. Oh, how I went under! The chain we had formed broke within my very sight. Oh, what a tragic day that became part of the rest of my life! It is a day I will always remember, no matter what I do or say. I still always hear the baby's cry: "Help me, daddy, help me !!!!"

Two years later, I got a fateful call while I was in Dallas at the Convention Center. They had found the decomposing bodies. Transport was provided for me in order to determine if the remains were in fact my mom, wife and children. They were without a doubt because the clothes they had on were the same clothes they had on when I saw them last. The screams, the overwhelming loss -- I get choked up just thinking of it -- words will never explain. Just continue to pray for my strength in the Lord, so I don't go insane.

All I really wish and hope for with this story is that you cherish your loved one while you can because they will be gone one day. Thank you for reading, understanding and having the concern to pray for a wretch like me. If you really appreciate my story and relate to what I have written, please send a word of kindness to the following address: Jeffrey Ames Parks, c/o The Stewpot, 408 Park Ave., Dallas, TX 75201.

New address: 9901 Scyene Rd., Apt. 1106, Dallas, TX 75227 - Congratulations on your new home!

Before I close, know that I strive daily right now to become as self-sufficient as I was before that fateful, awful day that took my family and my job, as well. In New Orleans, I was a genuine shipping / receiving manager and fork lift operator. This was work I didn't mind doing because I was always thinking of the family before myself. So, if respect is due for such a tragic wretch as me, please reach out and help a man like me with a new beginning and security, and please do so sincerely.

God bless and God keep each and every one of you who took the time to read this entry.

I am truly yours,

Jeffrey Ames Parks

P.S. I survived to tell this story because of a tv antennae that was sticking up out of the water. As I lay stranded in the water, rigor mortis set into my left hand. I have difficulty moving my fingers. With the help of my Club Speakeasy friends, I can share this story with you today.