Two years ago today, Katrina made landfall on the Gulf coast.

[Magrittes Pipe]

17 years ago today, my daughter was born.

I know it seems like an odd juxtaposition, but bear with me. When Katrina devastated New Orleans and the Mississippi coast, it brought out the best and the worst in people. Stories of great bravery and personal sacrifice flooded the wires in the ensuing weeks. SImilarly, there were stories of betrayal, failure, and hatred.

Teenagers also show the best and the worst of the human condition. They're rash, they're sometimes selfish, they're often lazy, they frequently think they know it all... but they can also be incredibly kind, they're discovering the world around them with intelligence and critical thinking, they have a sense of fun and wonder that we grownups often forget.

Corinne was born on August 29, 1990. And because of that, I will never forget August 29, 2005. They're not the same thing -- I love my daughter, while I hate the loss that accompanied Katrina -- but they're forever linked now. And perhaps that's a good thing. It's important to remember. We need to remember the failures, the catastrophes, the brutal winds and rains that left so many homeless or worse. Maybe having these memories of tragedy tempered by joy is a good thing. Maybe it allows us to remember, and yet to go on.

See, my family -- Corinne, Ruby, and their mother -- gives me the strength I need to persevere through the difficult times. Thankfully, we've never faced the devastation so many faced two years ago; but if we did, I know that we could find a way to survive. If all we have is each other, we've still got a lot.

I guess I got the best present after all.

[greatauntoftriplets]

1. You must love her very much.

Happy 17th birthday, Corinne.

[Midlodemocrat]

2. What a nice post, hedges.

Happy Birthday, Corinne!

[VenusRising]

3. "If all we have is each other, we've still got a lot."

You said it all, my friend. :hug:

Happy Birthday, Corinne! :party:

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

4. If you think she has it bas wrt birthday, take a look at Moby's birth date.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moby

Happy last-jailbait-year for your kid! :hi:

[Blue-Jay]

5. One more year....

<rubs hands together in a perverted manner>


Happy Birthday, Corinne!

[Magrittes Pipe]

6. You and CPB are sick fucks.

x(

[redqueen]

8. aww

and you're a dad

:)

great post, buttface

[Blue-Jay]

9. muaaahahahaha!

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

14. Hey! I did not rub my hands together in a perverted manner!

And I didn't salivate on my keyboard either so stop saying that!

(whistles innocently)

[ghostsofgiants]

7. Happy birthday to Corinne!

Hard to believe Katrina was two years ago now.

[TheProphetess]

10. What a touching post

Happy birthday to your Corinne. :party:

[terrya]

11. What a beautiful expression of love, Hedges.

I'm recommending this post. This is one of the nicest, most heartfelt posts I've read here in a while.

Happy Birthday, Corinne!

[dolo amber]

12. These are all lies

I am WAY too young and hot to have a 17 year old child. x(

[Magrittes Pipe]

13. It's okay, honey.

We don't hold your being a slut in junior high against you.



;)

[swag]

15. Yay! Happy birthday, Corinne!

[eyesroll]

16. Happy birthday, Rin!

:party:

(Too fried and starved for daylight to think of a more creative message. Many apologies.)

[jpgray]

17. Happy birthday Corinne!

[tigereye]

18. Happy, Happy Birthday!

may all your days be happy and interesting ones!


:party:

:bounce: