Houston Reminds Us of the Meaning of Home
This Houzz writer born and raised in the now-flood-ravaged city reflects on what makes it and its people so special
Seeing the heartbreaking storm images coming out of Houston, my hometown, reminds me how fragile the idea of home is. Most of us forget how incredibly fortunate we are to have a place to call home. It’s a level beyond just shelter and other basic needs. A home harbors a piece of ourselves, our expressions, our identities. The things we choose to put into our homes bring us comfort, remind us of who we are and convey our sense of self to others.
These are the spaces where we watch our children take their first steps, where we laugh and cry and hug our loved ones, where we bond and build the most important relationships in our lives, and where we reflect, rejuvenate and restore ourselves. Home, or the concept of home, is our most sacred possession. Take that away and we can feel lost.
These are the spaces where we watch our children take their first steps, where we laugh and cry and hug our loved ones, where we bond and build the most important relationships in our lives, and where we reflect, rejuvenate and restore ourselves. Home, or the concept of home, is our most sacred possession. Take that away and we can feel lost.
Sesquicentennial Park on the Buffalo Bayou in downtown Houston. Photo by Roy Luck
As of this writing, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has activated the entire Texas National Guard, close to 12,000 service members, to help with the recovery efforts from Hurricane Harvey, even as forecasts show pounding rain for days to come. Some 30,000 people will be displaced, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency. In other words, tens of thousands of people will be without a home.
Those hit hardest will likely be low-income families, the elderly, minority communities and, of course, the homeless population, whose city streets are now beneath a lake of water. They will need everything from food to clothing, homes to jobs, and possibly therapy. These people will need help, wherever they go, to get back to their idea of home. Let’s be there for them.
As of this writing, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has activated the entire Texas National Guard, close to 12,000 service members, to help with the recovery efforts from Hurricane Harvey, even as forecasts show pounding rain for days to come. Some 30,000 people will be displaced, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency. In other words, tens of thousands of people will be without a home.
Those hit hardest will likely be low-income families, the elderly, minority communities and, of course, the homeless population, whose city streets are now beneath a lake of water. They will need everything from food to clothing, homes to jobs, and possibly therapy. These people will need help, wherever they go, to get back to their idea of home. Let’s be there for them.
A view of downtown Houston from Buffalo Bayou. Photo by Mike Fisher
But I have no doubt in my mind that Houston and Houstonians will bounce back quickly. It’s a resilient city and culture. I was born and raised in Houston. You’ll find no other place like it. My former editor there, Jeff Gremillion (I hope you’re safe, Jeff), used to fondly say that “Houston is a world-class city with a small-town vibe,” and I think that hits the nail right on the head. Being in the city, you’d never know it’s the fourth-largest in the country. It still has a small Texas town feel. And that’s thanks to the kind, humble and friendly people there.
Anyone who’s ever lived in Houston will say decades later that they still miss its food. I went to the optometrist recently in Northern California, where I now live, and the doctor had gone through medical school in Houston some 30 years ago. She says she still misses the Tex-Mex food (Pappasito’s in particular), and it’s equally hard to forget the barbecue, Asian cuisine, soul food and so much more.
But I have no doubt in my mind that Houston and Houstonians will bounce back quickly. It’s a resilient city and culture. I was born and raised in Houston. You’ll find no other place like it. My former editor there, Jeff Gremillion (I hope you’re safe, Jeff), used to fondly say that “Houston is a world-class city with a small-town vibe,” and I think that hits the nail right on the head. Being in the city, you’d never know it’s the fourth-largest in the country. It still has a small Texas town feel. And that’s thanks to the kind, humble and friendly people there.
Anyone who’s ever lived in Houston will say decades later that they still miss its food. I went to the optometrist recently in Northern California, where I now live, and the doctor had gone through medical school in Houston some 30 years ago. She says she still misses the Tex-Mex food (Pappasito’s in particular), and it’s equally hard to forget the barbecue, Asian cuisine, soul food and so much more.
A shot of downtown Houston from the Sabine Street overpass, along Buffalo Bayou, before the storm. Photo by Telwink
Houston also has the best rap music scene (in my opinion); a thriving medical center (Texas Children’s Hospital is ranked No. 1 in cardiology and heart surgery); a world-renowned art, opera and theater scene; an inspiring LGBT community; leading universities; a behemoth energy industry; and a philanthropic spirit that I’ve never seen matched.
Houstonians, like most Texans, are known for their sense of humor too. U.S. Rep. Pete Olson of Texas told a joke on NPR this morning about a man looking to buy a home right now with a really big swimming pool. A Houstonian says, “Have I got a deal for you.” That’s a Texan for you.
Or take a look at this family laughing as a man catches a fish in his flooded living room. Or this 15-year-old boy pulling his friends on a kneeboard down a flooded street as they rescue neighbors with a boat. This town, and these people, are truly amazing.
Houston also has the best rap music scene (in my opinion); a thriving medical center (Texas Children’s Hospital is ranked No. 1 in cardiology and heart surgery); a world-renowned art, opera and theater scene; an inspiring LGBT community; leading universities; a behemoth energy industry; and a philanthropic spirit that I’ve never seen matched.
Houstonians, like most Texans, are known for their sense of humor too. U.S. Rep. Pete Olson of Texas told a joke on NPR this morning about a man looking to buy a home right now with a really big swimming pool. A Houstonian says, “Have I got a deal for you.” That’s a Texan for you.
Or take a look at this family laughing as a man catches a fish in his flooded living room. Or this 15-year-old boy pulling his friends on a kneeboard down a flooded street as they rescue neighbors with a boat. This town, and these people, are truly amazing.
A Texas National Guard member helps a resident out of a flooded area in Houston. Photo by Lt. Zachary West, 100th MPAD, Texas Military Department
For now, while the city is still underwater, let’s focus on the people and on getting them home, wherever that may be. If you can offer your time to assist, please do. If you can’t, consider donating money. If you can’t do either of those, consider this: Get to know your neighbors. Get to know as many people as you can in your city. They are the ones you can rely on the most. Stay strong, Houston. I know you will.
Your turn: Have you or your loved ones or friends been affected by the storm? Please share your thoughts and photos in the Comments.
More
Hurricane Harvey: How You Can Help
Visit Houzz’s disaster recovery page for additional stories
For now, while the city is still underwater, let’s focus on the people and on getting them home, wherever that may be. If you can offer your time to assist, please do. If you can’t, consider donating money. If you can’t do either of those, consider this: Get to know your neighbors. Get to know as many people as you can in your city. They are the ones you can rely on the most. Stay strong, Houston. I know you will.
Your turn: Have you or your loved ones or friends been affected by the storm? Please share your thoughts and photos in the Comments.
More
Hurricane Harvey: How You Can Help
Visit Houzz’s disaster recovery page for additional stories
In moments like these, of course, the most valuable thing is life. But we also can understand the gravity of what people in Houston are losing materially, and how hard it must be for them to see everything of meaning they’ve surrounded themselves with be consumed by water — and to have to walk, or swim, away from it all.
To think of those on the Gulf Coast worried and frightened to the point that they are photographing their children, photographing ID and medical cards, writing their names and phone numbers in black felt pen on their forearms, avoiding their attics for fear of being trapped, ascending to rooftops with duct tape and bed sheets to spell out SOS in hopes of being rescued, facing the real possibility that they will be torn apart from family members as their home is washed away — it’s a nightmarish situation no one should have to face. And how we respond to it will mean everything to them, and to us.