I lost my house to the raging floodwaters of May 1 and 2 that devastated a good part of Nashville, Tennessee, where I live.  In addition to that, I also lost my son, aged five:  his body was found a few days after the waters receded.

Angry?  You bet.  Devastated?  You think??  How would you feel if the life you've always known was suddenly taken out from right underneath your nose, and now you're left with a giant cleanup and trying to move on?

I am now staying with friends who are trying their best to help me.  That part is good, but the emotional and mental anguish remains.  I had never seen so much water pour down in all my days; I honestly thought it was the end of the world!  I suddenly felt like Noah traversing the floodwaters in his ark.

Meanwhile, whenever it rains now, I worry that we will get hit yet again by another flood.  Doesn't God even care??  Once was more than enough, especially since I just buried my baby boy who had only just begun to live!  Now I don't even have Colby in my life, and suddenly life just isn't worth living anymore!

The damage I've seen around a good part of town has been cleaned up, but much remains to be done.  There are still areas of damage that are only stark reminders of the disaster that took place.  Many businesses and homes remain inhabitable, and many events have been cancelled or delayed until the damage can be repaired --- such as the damage to the Grand Ole Opry House.  The Opry House has been stripped down to the floorboards; it is basically being rebuilt.  As for the Grand Ole Opry show itself, the show is currently being held at the War Memorial Auditorium.

The tourist industry has been hit hard in the belt:  every day, Nashville loses millions of dollars; we depend on the tourists for a good part of the city's income, and it's frightening to see it all draining away. 

I see loads and loads of trucks bringing new clothes, food, etc., and even the military is lending a helping hand.  That part is good, but I have not seen anything about the current president (I absolutely refuse to mention his name; you know who I'm referring to) coming to visit our city.  Oh, he's promised to send aid and has declared Nashville a "federal disaster area", but what about him coming down and rolling up his sleeves and helping us get back on our feet??

So many people have lost so much:  even major country stars (Kenny Chesney, for one, as well as one of the Grand Ladies of the Grand Ole Opry, Jeannie Seely) were affected.  Both Kenny and Jeannie lost everything in the flooding; they are now staying with friends until their houses can be rebuilt.  Even the famous got hit hard by the flooding; nobody was immune from the damage or heartbreak it caused.

I just wonder what is going to happen to the poor or homeless ... the elderly and the handicapped ...  if there's anyone who needs all the help they can get, it's these groups of people.  They already struggle enough even without a disaster like a flood to rock their (already) shaky, uncertain world.  Are there any people even considering helping them??  What about the Veterans that were affected?  Is anyone even offering them any assistance??

Everyone seems willling to help the rich and the famous; how about helping the common people, the people who are struggling already with life's issues??

I am seriously thinking of moving away from here.  Too many painful memories incurred from the last several weeks:  I've already lost so much; I don't need to be reminded of what I've lost on a daily basis.  I've got to get out of here before I lose my sanity!  Where I decide to go is up to me, but I am leaving Nashville behind.  I've had enough of her; I don't need her anymore in my life, especially since my own life has been altered forever.