That old saying -- there is always light at the end of the tunnel. OK, that sounds great, but if I can just find the tunnel I think I would feel a little better. Today in the FEMA "TROUSE" (trailer-house) started out like normal. Rise and shine from the bed, trip over our cat, and take the normal two steps into the kitchen. Grabbed for the bottled water and the coffee pot that’s on its last leg. Darcy got ready for school and we headed down the beach towards the bay.
Some tent families are going to be doing cartwheels; Santa is coming early, with a caravan of five spanking new FEMA trailers heading down Highway 90 toward Bay St. Louis. OK FEMA, let’s kick this in gear here and double the order, if you can send five, why can’t you send 10? Come on FEMA, my grandmother moved faster than you.
I gave Darcy the usual Katrina survival pep talk and dropped her off at Bay High and headed back down the highway. The car did a spit and sputter. I held my breath and pleaded with our old car, "do not fail us now you old junker, you are a Katrina survivor -- have a little dignity here." It groaned for a second or two, as if she had to vent a little, and it was back to normal. As I was traveling down the highway, it dawned on me things are cleaning up nicely. The debris piles are getting smaller. You've got to love these folks who are scooping us this stuff and getting it out of here for us.
When I was sitting at the red light, I watched this one guy sitting in a front loader attacking this one pile of debris like he had a vendetta against it. He looked over at me sitting at the light and I gave him a military salute. He put on the biggest grin nodding his head and waved. The light turned green and I found that some things are getting back to normal: A guy behind me blowing his horn. Sorry mister, I was admiring the scenery I haven’t been able to see in weeks!
I took off and looked down at the gas gauge and sucked air. Now I need cash to stand in line at the gas pumps. But this was my lucky day and I headed for my bank. Yes indeed, finally, since the storm, Regions Bank branch is having their grand opening of their new trailer today. What a relief, I don’t have to pack a lunch and drive cross country to find a bank branch open. Of course, I got there to early and had to sit in the car and wait 30 minutes for the bank to open. The clock ticked 9 am and I got out the car and walked up to the bank trailer only to be told by the security guard, sorry, the bank has no electricity and don’t know when it will be back on. OK, so this guy saw me sitting here for 30 minutes, never mind, I bit my lip, I’ve got to be a good girl, a promise I had to make to my husband since my temperament hasn’t been great lately due to the never ending unanswered saga about the park rumors.
I dug through my wallet and counted out enough change to put a couple gallons of gas in the car. I think I am in shock, only two cars at the pumps and it’s a Monday morning. Then suddenly this eerie feeling took over. I almost forgot, the hustle and bustle of our beautiful Bay St. Louis just isn’t here anymore, nor the population, or for that matter the tons of help and volunteers that were here after Katrina hit. I think I miss the National Guard most of all. There wasn’t any place you went that the troops weren’t there doing something and throwing out a grin or wave at you as they scurried around pulling us together. In my heart they are the greatest. Another day in the Bay and the Wave America, I am heading back to the "TROUSE" to see what other mischief I can get into for the day.
An endangered beacon
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reading this i feel so lucky to be north in the state but our hearts are with yall
andy,booneville ms. (Sent Nov 15, 2005 9:58:51 AM)
I just wanted to say thank you. I know you feel you haven't done anything but you honestly have. If anything you teach us to not take anything for granted. Which we all know everyone does till it gets taken from them.
Each of you are stronger than you most likely ever thought you were and for that reason alone I feel you and your community are the Hero's in this situation. Its not the National Guard or those helping rebuild. Its those families that are rebuilding everything about themselves to get back to what they were before. To me that is a HERO. A person who doesn't give up no matter what is tossed onto their plate.
So thank you... From the bottom of my heart. For showing me what it means to be strong and not let anything bring you down no matter how hard life can be there is a good side. It may take a while to get there but we do.
Carrie, Cape Girardeau, Missouri (Sent Nov 15, 2005 4:27:24 PM)
I miss the national guard too! They did make me feel better. Come visit guys - we still could use you, you did lift our spirits!
BettySue, Waveland (Sent Nov 16, 2005 8:50:49 AM)
I think it is wonderful that you outline the day so well. You see I visit the area in the later part of July and was home before the strom formed.
I follow the clean up and rebuiling now via this web site, since my local news only show things when something negative has happened.
I would like you to know that I care to hear about things returning to normal for the very blessed people that have made the best out of want they have for the day.
This is a lesson for me to take time and really enjoy the simple that privilages in life. Thanks so much. I think you should become a writer.
A. Blackman, Rialto, Ca (Sent Nov 21, 2005 5:22:30 PM)
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