Even if you weren’t there, looking at the Hurricane Katrina affected areas map is a good reminder. It’s a map of resilience disguised as a map of disaster. Every little dot on that map is a house that got rebuilt, a neighbor who came back, or a corner store that reopened. It’s like seeing scars on a friend’s face—they’re not pretty, but they’re part of the story.
So next time you’re bored and scrolling through your phone, pull up that map. Look for the Lower Ninth. Look for Lakeview. Imagine the water, then imagine the people who said, “Nope, I’m staying.” It’ll make your everyday problems—like a slow drain or a leaky faucet—feel like a victory. And if you live in one of those blue blobs, just smile and nod. You survived the map. Not many can say that.
