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Home \ Contests \ Winning Stories \ Kerri Bryant - September 2006 winner
Kerri Bryant of Metairie, LA
My life has changed ever so much in the past year. Sometimes change is good, and sometimes it's bad. Either way, there is always a lesson learned. Here is my story... August 29, 2005 may have been a normal day for many people in this country. But for us, and millions of others, our lives would change forever.
My family and I were evacuated in Lake Charles anxiously awaiting for Hurricane Katrina to be said and gone. Little did we know it would bring a lifetime of memories, struggles and emotions that we will never forget. Like many others, we had to rebuild our home after the storm, and indeed, rebuild our lives.
I chose the first charm (#3570 Boy & Girl) to represent our daughter and son, who are the only ties that have probably kept us from falling apart. And small as it may seem, (#1790 Dachshund) for our little free spirit dachshund who gives them joy and something soft to cuddle whenever they need it. The fleur de lis (#1698 Fleur de Lis), of course, to represent New Orleans and the home that I have known my whole life. I even chose (#3956 Trailer), a trailer - wow, what horrid memories that brings! We lived in a trailer for several months while rebuilding our home. I can't even tell you what it was like to live with so many people. But, none-the-less, it's forever a part of our memories and we were blessed to have a roof over our heads. I chose a shovel (#3344 Shovel) to represent all the debris we had to clean up, and as a sign of our burying our old life. I also chose a butterfly (#3763 Butterfly) to represent change. We plan to relocate next year to another state and we welcome the change with open arms. I chose (#3263 Kissing Couple), a couple - to represent my husband and I, for without him I don't know where I would be. And for the forever gratitude to my extended family and to every single person who gave us strength, who welcomed us, who opened their hearts to us, I chose (#5592 Love), LOVE.
Finally, I couldn't end my story without choosing (#6486 Sun), a SUN. For sunshine follows every rain. Wondering where the tenth charm is? I didn't choose one. I want to leave that one open ended because I am looking forward to the future. I can't wait to see what it holds, and what charm I will be able to add as our journey continues.
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