On August 29, 2005 Hurricane Katrina hit and devastated my hometown, flattened towns just west of us and submerged New Orleans for several days. It's not something I talk about often, because it's painful. It's a life marker like graduating or having a baby. There's pre Katrina life and then post Katrina life.

Houston and the surrounding areas are going to have that with Harvey. It's heartbreaking to see the pleas for help, the images of rescues and the tragic news, not to mention the selflessness and the selfishness of human race.

It's hard to know first hand how long and painful the clean up is going to be, because once the water is gone, that's when the real scope of the tragedy hits. That's when you realize the amount of stuff that's been lost: yearbooks, baby pictures, grandma's china, first communion outfits, diplomas, wedding albums just to name a few. It sucks, man it sucks, to have to shift through mud and debris to find anything that may be left of your life to salvage. But there's help. There's relief. There's neighbors and strangers who will help. Companies that donate, cell carriers that waive fees, local doctors who make sure everyone has updated tetanus shots.

I just want to mention that donations to the Red Cross and other relief organizations are wonderful. Donations to local pet and human shelters are amazing. However, there's two groups that get over looked in these times. Libraries and schools. We as readers know only too well that books are not waterproof. Please, if you are considering donating and are looking for a way to help, think about schools and libraries. People, especially lower income people, depend on the libraries for computer access and research.

Thank you all. Houston, you have my love and empathy.