They say "Life goes on," and so it does.
Last week was Thanksgiving, and I thought it would be a tough holiday to go through. It was rather hard. The FEMA trailer ovens are real small. Not large enough to bake a turkey or much of anything. So I went to have Thanksgiving with friends of a friend in Diamondhead. There were probably 30 or 40 people there, with a big spread of all kinds of food. It was great. And those people were very nice to invite me. Most of them I had never even met before in my life. It was a great Thanksgiving meal and great fellowship. Of course, everyone tells their Katrina stories. That's the conversation here most of the time. How much water did you get? Where did you stay for the storm?
And so "life goes on." Many times we do not want life to go on. We want to go back to life before Katrina, when things were great, we all had homes, businesses and life as usual. But not so today. It is almost like we are living in a bombed out country, with still no grocery stores, no street lights, no homes. But down Highway 90 and other main streets things are looking up. Businesses have signs up that say they are opening soon. More and more businesses are open. Even a Chinese restaurant with a buffet is now open.
And so "life goes on." But today I went to the FEMA Disaster Recovery Center, and outside the parking lot were people living in tents. There must have been 20 or so tents there, with dogs and children. That makes my heart bleed to think that people still have nowhere to live and nowhere to go. At the center, I saw a couple I've know all my life, and they were trying to find out what to do. They had to demolish their house. SBA has denied them a loan because all he makes is his Social Security check and she worked at the Grand Casino in Gulfport and now has no job. So what are they supposed to do?
And so "life goes on." But drive down to Waveland, Cedar Point, Pearlington, Lakeshore, Clermont Harbor, Shoreline Park, etc. There the homes are flattened, and some homes are not even there anymore. All that is left is a slab. So, even though "life goes on," these people really have no life right now. They are either living elsewhere, living with friends and family in town or living in a trailer either on their property or someone else's.
And so "life goes on." I went shopping Saturday. The crowds were really not too bad, but it was just hard to get into the holiday spirit. To be looking for Christmas presents for people. To be looking at holiday decorations, Christmas trees, snowmen, that sort of thing.
But, as they say, "Life goes on."
My new trailer vocabulary
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Mary, I have been thinking of you and your area while hanging up my decorations this weekend. I'm feeling slightly guilty that I still have so much, even though its small, compared to what all of you had and don't have anymore.
So while we're out shopping for Christmas gifts, what can your town use now? Is there anything specific us regular readers might be able to send your way, or should we keep just sending money?
Stephanie Umbro, Standish, ME (Sent Nov 29, 2005 10:20:03 PM)
love ta hear from you mary things HAVE to get better....and life goes on
andy,booneville ms. (Sent Nov 30, 2005 8:35:07 AM)
i live in Raymond, MS, I would like to help the coast people. My daughter and I spent every summer vacation in Biloxi. We would like to adopt someone for Christmas.
Debbie Warren, Raymond, MS (Sent Nov 30, 2005 10:57:40 AM)
I thought of all of you on Thanksgiving. And now with Christmas nearing I'm sure that you all need so much. I will keep you all in my prayers.
Janet, Rapid City, SD (Sent Nov 30, 2005 12:03:52 PM)
Mary, How well you've described it! I also have lost everything and must start over. Please try your hardest to keep your faith and take one day at a time. I feel the same about shopping, especially not knowing what my family needs most...not a nice picture frame, or outfit, but wishing I could give them all a house of furniture....or even better, a house! It will be a long time before things get back to "normal" but in the mean time we must know that life is good, the Lord will provide what we need and we will recover from this, slowly, but we will recover. I hope you and your family and friends will have a God Blessed holiday season, and somehow you'll celebrate the new year--even if the only reason you celebrate is life, celebrate!
Denise Nestor, Slidell, La. (Sent Nov 30, 2005 5:23:04 PM)
Mary, we moved from Picayune a year and half ago to Alabama. Our area was spared Katrina (but not Ivan) I won't even compare the two. My family decided not to draw names for Christmas and contacted me to find out where they could send donations for you folks. I contacted a local Church of Christ and was directed to Pastor Mark Ray, Siwell Church of Christ, 4075 Siwell Rd. Jackson, Ms. 39212. He assured me that his church has been sending help to your area and that any donations sent are used 100% for help in Waveland, Bay St. Louis, Pass Christian. I just wanted you to know that you and your neighbors are not being forgotten, and to pass on this information if anyone wants to help.
Carol, Alabama (Sent Dec 1, 2005 11:30:16 AM)
One way you can help the folks in Bay St. Louis, Ms is to donate to help rebuild the only all-girls Catholic school in the State of Ms. This school is known both academically and athletically. OLA had THREE national merit semifinalists this year. Visit the website at http://www.ourladyacademy.com. Help is needed to rebuild two buildings, replace the science lab, kitchen, lockers, teachers desks, etc.
Connie Chevis (Sent Dec 1, 2005 3:12:16 PM)
On Dec. 14 my daughter and I are arriving at BSL and will be working in the area of OLA and OLG, with Father Tracey. My daughter has been there before with her college, Elon U. NC, She was so moved by the entire experience that she wants to return. God Bless you all. We are in the process of getting donations of money to take with us. You are not forgotten....
Peggy Dugan (Sent Dec 1, 2005 5:00:52 PM)
Thank you Peggy. Maybe I will get a chance to meet you and your daughter when you come down. Thank your daughter also. Thank you for not forgetting us.
Connie Chevis (Sent Dec 2, 2005 12:42:10 PM)
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