Today’s New York Times (October 4, 2005) profiles 17 year-old Keydra Thomas who with her family had to seek refuge in Texas with only a night’s worth of clothes when Hurricane Katrina barreled into New Orleans where her home was. She’s started a new life now 1300 miles away in Montclair, New Jersey, where she now lives with her aunt.
”It’s a test, in a way,” Keydra is quoted as saying. ”You do learn new things. Like not having nice shoes or a new dress for a party, that’s not a disaster. I am alive. Some people didn’t get out.”
She says she’s learned two important things from this experience: ”The little things don’t matter, compared to not having anything.” And, ”You learn that it gets easier; it gets better.”
WRITE TO US: What do you think of Keydra’s words? Do you think you’d feel the same way if you lost all your physical possessions, too? Do you think she has the right fix on what’s really important in life? What would you say to her if you could meet her?

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