Hurricane Katrina changed their lives: Mother and daughter reunited
Published: February 19, 2006
As millions tuned into the Super Bowl, Terry Berry had more than football on her mind. Her daughter was exiting a plane from Canada where she thought she was only spending summer break.
At the airport, all Berry could do was yell, “my baby, my baby.”
Not sleeping the night before, Berry operated on adrenaline as she anxiously paced near the terminal. And then it finally came, — the moment she could hug and kiss her daughter, Tia Edwards.
The two were separated last August and Hurricane Katrina destroyed everything they owned. Reuniting was all the mother and daughter, who haven’t been apart for more than a month at a time, needed after their lives changed so drastically.
What was supposed to be a simple month-long break at her brother Selvin’s home in Canada, away from Gulidford Park Secondary High School in Louisiana, turned into six months away from her mother.
After watching weeks of news coverage, Edwards realized she would not be in the same school with all of her high school friends ever again.
“It will never be the same,” said Edwards from the lobby of North Port High School, where she registered and toured last week.
While visiting Selvin, the Louisiana levees swept away contents of Edwards’ bedroom and the rest of their Orlean’s Parish apartment. Berry called Canada telling her daughter to stay and enroll in school. This way she could find a new place to live for them.
None of the 16-year-old honor students’ awards or mementos were salvaged as her mom could only evacuate with the clothes she was wearing and her purse.
Berry, who wanted to stay in the United States to start over again, had few options. She had only known North Porters Chrissy and Tony Placek and their two sons for a month when the hurricane hit Louisiana. The couple called asking how she was handling the aftermath and where she was going to stay. After being shuttled to the Louisiana Superdome and then bused to the Houston Astrodome in Texas, Berry was invited to stay with the Placek’s.
With the couple’s help, Berry was determined to get back on her feet.
The Placek’s opened their home to Berry. They helped her get a car, secure a job at Wal-Mart and save up money to live at the newly opened Grand Court Apartments.
Although pleased with such a blessed rebound of her life after losing everything, Berry was desperate to see her daughter again.
“Wal-Mart was great to me,” Berry said. “I received several raises. I just kept saving my money to get a plane ticket.”
Berry also spent a little money each month on new items to outfit her daughter’s room.
“Tia told me not to unpack any of the boxes, she wanted to arrange everything herself,” Berry said. “She loves Sponge Bob, so that’s what I bought her. Sponge Bob everything. I made her bed with the new Sponge Bob sheets.”
Edwards smiled when she saw her new bedroom.
“I love my room,” she said.
Last week, when Edwards registered, she met several students in her classes.
“I love the arts and drama,” Edwards said. “When I was in school in Canada, I wrote a script.”
North Port High School will create an easy transition for Edwards, who wants to work at the performing arts center learning the behind-the-scenes lighting, curtains and stage craft.
Edwards says she loves North Port so far. Although she’s looking for a job, Edwards plans to be active at the high school. She said keeping in touch with her Louisiana friends will also be challenging as her computer was destroyed in Katrina.
“When I was in Canada, I called and then e-mailed all of my friends,” she said. “Now, they are all over the place, in Texas, Alabama, Atlanta, Indianapolis and some are in New Orleans. The only way we could all be together again is if we go back after graduation next year. I’m glad none of them were hurt.”
Berry says she can deal with not having the little extras right now because the most important person in her life is back where she belongs.
“God has blessed me and gave me back my baby,” Berry said. “I can’t thank Chrissy and her family enough for helping. The community really stepped up too. What a wonderful way to be welcomed into a community by so many caring people who understand a true crisis.”
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