Dear Houston,

The past couple of days can be summed up in a hypothetical T-chart of “H’s” that I created. On the left side I have drawn a frowning face and on the right a smiling face-both slightly wonky, but recognizable. On the left side in bullet points, I have written down the words: Harvey, Hurricane, Heartbreaking, Havoc, and hard. On the right side, I have written down the words: Houston, Heartwarming, Heroic, Helpful, Haven, and Hardy.

I use words to brainstorm ideas, and this T-chart served me the purpose of realizing just how great of a city you are. You have been a home to me for the past 11 years of my life and the one place I found stability.

A stable home, stable friendships, a stable foundation for a future, and in the wake of this disaster it dawned upon me that these are some of those values present in most of your inhabitants. The incredible heroism that I have seen over the past couple of days from the news reporter who saved a man in a sinking 18-wheeler to the tireless rescuers who do not leave houses until each and every single being is out. From the man who climbed on top of sinking cars to make sure no one was inside the car to the people who rescued the lovely ladies and gentlemen at the retirement home, and the human chain that was formed to save an elderly man, but heroism is not simply the acts of rescue.

Heroism is the awe-inspiring spirit that you have given to us residents. Houston, I find myself romanticizing many things, but it is no hyperbole to say that the heart and soul of Houston is evident in the courageous people who are figuring out their lives after being displaced. It is evident in the donation centers and relief funds being made out to all those in need. In the college students building makeshift boats to ride out the high waters, and the people learning to have fun among destruction. In the phenomenal people that refuse to let their animals be left alone, and to those who are rescuing all the displaced and lost animals.

While havoc is wreaked in your steel foundations Houston, stronger foundations are being built in us as people, and that is truly inspirational. My heart breaks seeing my city under water, not being able to see the roads I travel every day, but despite it all the sign of your strength remains. The “Be Someone” sign above 45, a symbol that I see every single day on the way to college, a reminder of our stability.

So this one is for you Houston. A letter to one hardy, heroic city that continues to be my emblem of resilience. It will take time to go back to normalcy, especially for those completely out of their homes, disrupted both financially and morally, but stay strong, we will get through this together.

Lots of love to The H,

Ketaki.

To everyone looking for ways to help please check out this incredible list compiled by the New York Times.

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/28/us/donate-harvey-charities-scams.html?mcubz=0