Hello and thank you so much for your time in reading what I have to say. My name is Adair Springfield and I'm from Denham Springs, Louisiana. I've since relocated to Los Angeles, California and have lived here for almost 7 years. I am an only child and grew up very close to my mom and dad, Kim and Ralph. Recently, there was disastrous flooding in Louisiana, affecting over 100,000 people. They are calling it the 1000-Year Flood. The storm had no name and came out of nowhere. It wasn't a hurricane, but left so much destruction in it's wake. There hasn't been much media coverage on it, but you can read more about it here: 

http://www.cnn.com/2016/08/18/us/louisiana-flooding/

The picture you see is the home where I grew up; a lifetime of memories residing/resided within its walls. The items you see scattering the front lawn, appearing as discarded trash, may only be possessions, but they were ours. They were our memories. They were hard earned and well deserved. Some of them were handmade. It's comforting to know that most of it can be replaced, but still doesn't take away the sting that this picture brings. It's hard to toss away your memories like tossing away an apple core or banana peel, but that's what my family has been doing lately. I got to experience a very tiny amount of it after flying home to be with my parents last weekend. The house had already been stripped to its studs. Walking in, I felt like 20+ years of my life had been stripped away with it.

Let's rewind. We built our house in 1994 with my dad overseeing and doing most of the work by hand. I've always been so proud of him and felt lucky to call this house my home, no matter where I live. 

Fast-forward 21 years to 2015. I can't imagine the feeling of this yet, but my mom and dad added a very special moment to their timeline of events; they paid off the house. This is the moment they could say they were living the "American dream." With both of their vehicles paid off along with the house, the shadow of debt that had been following them around for years had disappeared. They were free. Now I may be biased, but you have to understand that these two people are the hardest working, most respected, all-around good human beings I know. Anyone who knows them would say the same. As a result of all of their hard work, they deserved this debt-free dream.

After paying off the house my parents (who had carried flood insurance for over 20 years) decided to decline flood insurance, as the house is located in a "no flood zone." A year later became the day they would regret this decision. They were awoken by a godsend phone call and suddenly realized the water was quickly approaching the back door. My mom made a call to my aunt and uncle for rescue just as my dad gave her 45 minutes to get what she needed.

How can you be given a time limit to choose what matters most to you in the world? You can't. You're panicked. You grab a laptop, a change of clothes, your 10 year old dog and your spouse. That's it. You don't think. You don't really believe that water is actually going to come into your home. You forget to place important items and documents on higher ground. You are in survival mode. You just want to get out. At least, this is only what I can imagine they felt. 

The neighborhood was already underwater, so the only way for my aunt and uncle to get to them was by boat. Gripping our family dog tightly, my mom and dad waded out in chest deep, rising water to the boat that would rescue them. As they paddled away, feeling helpless and hopeless, they took one last look at the home that had sheltered every laugh and tear for the last 20 years and knew that it would never be the same.

Tragedy and devastation happen frequently and in all forms. I am writing this and asking for help from people I know and many, many who I don't on behalf of the tragedy that has affected my strong and amazing family. No one deserves misfortune, but it does happen and no one knows why. Here's what I do know. We got 30 inches of water in our home. If my parents knew I was doing this, they'd kill me. They don't have flood insurance. They are getting a loan for the rebuild. Both cars were a total loss. Their accomplishment of the American dream is not a reality any longer. 

We are heartbroken and angry, but in a very odd way we are also gracious that we have been blessed with so much to lose. Letting go is the hardest part; everyone has heard that once or twice. So hang on tight to what you have and if you lose your grip, remember "who" matters instead of "what." The outpouring of love that our community has received from one another is THE most inspiring thing I have ever witnessed. There is so much good left in this world and it shouldn't take a tragedy like this to bring it out. Be kind to one another. Lend a helping hand. And above all, love. The money raised will go towards rebuilding our home along with helping to pay for a new car. We need walls, flooring, cabinets, paint, countertops, etc. The money will go directly to my parents. Anything helps. Thank you all for your time.