You know how they say, "When it rains...it pours"? Well that is how it has been for my sweet sister Glory, her husband Paul and their 5 children. A year ago they moved from Fort Worth, TX to Layfayette, LA. They immediately fell in love with Louisiana and the south, but as life is wont to do...it had a change of plans for the Watts family. They would be moving back to Fort Worth, TX....as Glory cleverly put it, they were the "boomerang" family.
On August 12, 2016 it started to rain, like a lot of rain. Louisiana was flooding again. Glory was home by herself and her 5 children as Paul was already in Texas working. She did her best to stack furniture and other important items on beds, countertops and any surface off the ground. One of her dear friend's husband brought her sand bags after trying 4 different routes to get to her house. Unfortunately, the water couldn't be held back and their home flooded. Without power, a dead phone and 5 kids in a water logged home....Glory was stranded. Paul was desperately trying to get home from Texas but it's not an easy feat during a natural disaster. This same angel friend's husband came to get Glory and her children. His diesel truck was waiting for them in a drivable area but they would have to walk through waist deep water with the small children in a kayak.
When they all finally got to her friend's home, she and her mother were wrapping the kids in dry towels. As they wrapped Glory in a towel, she started sobbing. She had kept it together the whole day.... level headed and strong for her children until she could at last grieve for the losses of that day. This image of my sister reduces me to tears...for the kindness of others and that this precious family is safe.
So for even worse news...they don't have flood insurance. They are not in a "flood zone" so spending hundreds of extra dollars a month on flood insurance seemed superfluous. Glory and Paul are supposed to be putting their home on the market and registering their kids for school in Fort Worth right now. Instead, with the help of so many from their church and Bell Helicopter, a massive clean up and construction effort has been put into full force. Friends and even strangers have showed up and asked to be put to work. People have brought food, cookies and taken care of the kids so Paul and Glory can focus on the task at hand.
This "flood drive" is to help give the Watts family a little boost and let them know how much we all love and care for them. A lot of furniture and household items will need to be replaced, hopefully we can help them out with that and whatever else they may need in the aftermath of this natural disaster. If nothing else, I have a renewed belief in the goodness of humanity. In a time of crisis and loss, good people stepped forward and offered all they had. Thank you angels of Louisiana, thank you all our sweet friends and family for any support you can lend. I know not everyone can give money....but please send good thoughts and treat your fellow man with kindness. To my dear, sweet Glory....you are a rare spark that never goes out.
I can't not post a picture of our Golden. :)
A little postscript for the good people of gofundme...in an effort of due diligence they have asked that I add a little info about myself in an effort of "complete transparency" to make sure all campaigns are legit. My name is Jenny Smith MacKenzie and I am the 2nd oldest and oldest daughter of 13 children to Lowell and Claudia Smith. I live in Oak Park, CA with my husband and 12 year old daughter. This campaign is to help our sister Glory Smith Watts and her family who lost so much in the recent Louisiana flooding. Glory is the 5th oldest child in our family and 2nd oldest daughter. As the Watts family is currently in the process of relocating back to Fort Worth, TX, this puts a particular financial strain on them since they cannot put their Louisana home on the market due to extreme flood damage. The money will be used to purchase new furniture, household items and any incidentals they may need to help rebuild their life in Texas. Thank you all who have helped already!! You are part of the guardian angels watching over our resilient, ever positive and amazing Watts family. We love you all dearly.
On August 12, 2016 it started to rain, like a lot of rain. Louisiana was flooding again. Glory was home by herself and her 5 children as Paul was already in Texas working. She did her best to stack furniture and other important items on beds, countertops and any surface off the ground. One of her dear friend's husband brought her sand bags after trying 4 different routes to get to her house. Unfortunately, the water couldn't be held back and their home flooded. Without power, a dead phone and 5 kids in a water logged home....Glory was stranded. Paul was desperately trying to get home from Texas but it's not an easy feat during a natural disaster. This same angel friend's husband came to get Glory and her children. His diesel truck was waiting for them in a drivable area but they would have to walk through waist deep water with the small children in a kayak.
When they all finally got to her friend's home, she and her mother were wrapping the kids in dry towels. As they wrapped Glory in a towel, she started sobbing. She had kept it together the whole day.... level headed and strong for her children until she could at last grieve for the losses of that day. This image of my sister reduces me to tears...for the kindness of others and that this precious family is safe.
So for even worse news...they don't have flood insurance. They are not in a "flood zone" so spending hundreds of extra dollars a month on flood insurance seemed superfluous. Glory and Paul are supposed to be putting their home on the market and registering their kids for school in Fort Worth right now. Instead, with the help of so many from their church and Bell Helicopter, a massive clean up and construction effort has been put into full force. Friends and even strangers have showed up and asked to be put to work. People have brought food, cookies and taken care of the kids so Paul and Glory can focus on the task at hand.
This "flood drive" is to help give the Watts family a little boost and let them know how much we all love and care for them. A lot of furniture and household items will need to be replaced, hopefully we can help them out with that and whatever else they may need in the aftermath of this natural disaster. If nothing else, I have a renewed belief in the goodness of humanity. In a time of crisis and loss, good people stepped forward and offered all they had. Thank you angels of Louisiana, thank you all our sweet friends and family for any support you can lend. I know not everyone can give money....but please send good thoughts and treat your fellow man with kindness. To my dear, sweet Glory....you are a rare spark that never goes out.
I can't not post a picture of our Golden. :)
A little postscript for the good people of gofundme...in an effort of due diligence they have asked that I add a little info about myself in an effort of "complete transparency" to make sure all campaigns are legit. My name is Jenny Smith MacKenzie and I am the 2nd oldest and oldest daughter of 13 children to Lowell and Claudia Smith. I live in Oak Park, CA with my husband and 12 year old daughter. This campaign is to help our sister Glory Smith Watts and her family who lost so much in the recent Louisiana flooding. Glory is the 5th oldest child in our family and 2nd oldest daughter. As the Watts family is currently in the process of relocating back to Fort Worth, TX, this puts a particular financial strain on them since they cannot put their Louisana home on the market due to extreme flood damage. The money will be used to purchase new furniture, household items and any incidentals they may need to help rebuild their life in Texas. Thank you all who have helped already!! You are part of the guardian angels watching over our resilient, ever positive and amazing Watts family. We love you all dearly.
Organizer and beneficiary
Glory Watts
Beneficiary