BAY ST. LOUIS, Miss. -- “Katrina took a lot of things, but it can’t take Christmas.” That’s how Lance Rihner of Bay St. Louis explains why he insisted on decorating his house this year, despite the devastation that surrounds it.
Of the few homes left standing here and in neighboring Waveland, many are decked out with Christmas lights and decorations, even though the residents have many more-pressing concerns. Click here to see the decorated homes, tents and trailers and hear the residents talk about the holiday season.
“It’s important, especially for the children … even if it’s just a little styrofoam snowman in the front yard,” says Bob Welz of Waveland.
Brian and Suzanne Porter, Bay St. Louis residents who still have jobs, say they decorated to make the area more festive for those who lost everything.
"These you can see from Main Street, so I know they’re going to ride around and see," Suzanne says.
Many of the decorations are on FEMA trailers, and there’s even a trailer contest sponsored by the city of Bay St. Louis.
“You can’t put nails in a FEMA trailer, so we used duct tape,” Cowger says of the atypical arrangement.
Stacy Schutz of Waveland decided to combine Christmas with criticism for FEMA. After tiring of waiting for a FEMA trailer and then discovering she was pregnant, Schutz and her husband bought their own house on wheels. But they also pitched a mini-tent in front of a plywood sign with this greeting: “FEMA HOLIDAY HOUSING.”
Bay St. Louis resident Edward Jurkowski was still putting up his decorations: wreaths on two large oaks and a life-sized metal moose that he always dresses up for the season.
The Main Street house, oaks and moose, who has always been secured with trailer ties, all survived Katrina. The house got an inch of water, while the moose has one slightly droopy ear now and lost its straw hat. The sunglasses, on the other hand, made it.
As Jurkowski put the finishing touches on the moose on a gorgeous afternoon, he hesitated before plugging in spotlights to showcase his display.
“There’s no guarantee that they’re going to light up after a hurricane,” was his caveat.
But the next night, as we drove past Jurkowski's house, the lights of Christmas were shining bright.
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this was a very nice heart felt article
Katherine J, Baton Rouge, LA. (Sent Dec 15, 2005 7:19:26 PM)
It takes more than a hurricane to overwhelm the human spirit.
donna (Sent Dec 15, 2005 7:19:41 PM)
It's wonderful to see the Christmas spirit is alive and well in the Gulf Coast. And just think, we now have a new use for duct tape. Way to go. Keep up those good spirits, I know it must be so very hard. I can't even begin to imagine.
Phyllis, Sacramento, CA (Sent Dec 15, 2005 7:54:42 PM)
I think it is wonderful that folks are putting up Christmas lights in these areas. If I am having a bad day this time of year I know driving around looking at lights instantly cheers me up so I have no doubt that these lights are a sign of hope and a bit of normalcy in a time of such upheaval for the people of the gulf coast. Merry Christmas all!!
C.P, White City OR (Sent Dec 15, 2005 8:09:02 PM)
I hear the pink flamingos are so popular looters are stealing them off of the lawns!
Matt Heitzmann (Sent Dec 15, 2005 8:50:00 PM)
Mooses rule!!! after Katrina i might have a droopy ear too.....at least ya'll got ya lites ....have a merry christmas
andy,ms (Sent Dec 15, 2005 8:58:35 PM)
These people are what the true meaning of Christmas is all about,,if I had the money I would donate it all to help them have a more merrier Christmas,,God Bless them all.
margurarite kyer,west lafayette , Indiana (Sent Dec 15, 2005 9:48:33 PM)
I hope you all have a Merry and blessed Christmas. We will be visiting you all and am grateful to see more people that I know that made it. God bless you all!
Kelly Blanchard, Florida (formerly Waveland) (Sent Dec 15, 2005 9:55:24 PM)
Merry Chris-Moose!
Eileen, Wexford, PA (Sent Dec 15, 2005 10:02:45 PM)
Hallelujah to Christmas lights to brighten a dreary scene! They all look lovely!
Stephanie Umbro, Standish, ME (Sent Dec 16, 2005 7:40:05 PM)
Thank you for bringing the spirit of Christmas to Waveland and Bay St. Louis. So many lost so much. This shows that the spirit of the people in this area cannot be broken.
Debby, Bridgewater, MA (Sent Dec 16, 2005 7:48:14 PM)
It's nice to know that some things never change :-)
S.C., Scarsdale, New York (Sent Dec 16, 2005 9:53:34 PM)
I still fear Katrina is not the Grinch this year. The Grinch looks more like that guy with big ears in the White House.
Hugh W. Sterling VA (Sent Dec 17, 2005 8:06:12 AM)
I would like some one to ask fema why are they taking so long in paying hurricane Katrina victims for our personal property claims.A few people have received their payments but too few and between, we could really use that money to start our lives over again. They are paying some and not others its not fair. The media have to get into everything before they will act on anything. So therefore i wish that a reporter could expose them so that we can get our payments sooner than later.
Erica Charles Hinesville,Ga (Sent Dec 17, 2005 10:28:29 AM)
This is a nice story. Hope the kids are cheered by this. Maybe some of the parents too. Maybe Santa will bring a check from FEMA/Bush to help them rebuild their house. A heart felt Merry Christmas and a better New Year to everyone hurt by this. JibJab.com
Hugh W. Sterling VA (Sent Dec 17, 2005 10:53:28 AM)
Wow, how wonderful that with all you have been through that you remeber that this holiday is all about the children. Thank You so Very Much, Brenda
Brenda, Peters Creek Alaska (Sent Dec 17, 2005 11:29:07 AM)
For the kids this is great you can keep the tent thou. Take care of the the little ones and keep the politics out of it.
William F. Garber III Tucson AZ. (Sent Dec 17, 2005 1:20:28 PM)
Its good see the spirit of Christmas still lives on, I wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Jeremy K. Schenectady,NY (Sent Dec 17, 2005 1:28:43 PM)
Katrina's devistation seems to have been extinguished by the abundance of love and kindness found in the human spirit. May all of you have joyful and prosperous times in 2006.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! I think of all of you every day...
Sylvia Beachy, Austin, TX (Sent Dec 17, 2005 2:35:16 PM)
Once again these amazing people are showing us their resilence and determination to survive. How wonderful to see that no matter what has been thrown their way, they have found ways to cope. Everytime I read one of their stories my faith is renewed. Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukkah and Happy Holidays to EVERYONE!
Amy, VA (Sent Dec 17, 2005 2:37:54 PM)
The Spirit of Christmas will live on even in the hardest and coldest of time. Merry Christmas to all
Q Bui, Los Angeles, Ca (Sent Dec 17, 2005 6:32:42 PM)
May the peace of Jesus Christ envelope the wonderful people of Waveland and Bay St. Louis, everyone in the Gulf Region... I was blessed to serve with Willow Creek Community Church, along with Heartland and Christian Life Church in Waveland where the camp was set up in the parking lot of K-Mart..."the saving place". The Spirit that lives here is incredible; and truly we were far more blessed than we could have ever blessed. Jesus will see you through to the other side. I love you all, people of Waveland! Merry Christmas...
Marcie Knoll, Algonquin, IL. (Sent Dec 17, 2005 6:53:51 PM)
It is wonderful to see that these folks are getting back on their feet. So many people reached out to them after Katrina hit. May God bless and supply all thier needs. Merry Christmas to all
Diane J. Leander, Texas (Sent Dec 17, 2005 7:12:56 PM)
We Mississippians are a touch bunch. We help each other out and still know the importance of family and neighbors. We love our land and our state. My wife and I leave Monday morning headed for Gulfport to bring a little N. Mississippi cheer to our family on the coast. This will be a Christmas we will never forget. Can't wait to get there. On a side note my wife is from Long Beach, MS and this will be her first trip to the coast since the storm and my second.
Bob Buntyn, Olive Branch, Mississippi (Sent Dec 17, 2005 8:32:10 PM)
Christmas will live on. Send the websites about Katrina out to every contact that you have, keep it going. Don't forget how bad our companion animals have suffered, once long ago they had a loving home and now their family may be searching for them. Please check out hssm.org, we are all suffering here on the Mississippi coast.
lana, pass christian (Sent Dec 17, 2005 9:57:50 PM)
A year ago today I faced surgery for cancer, and today I'm here and well. In a year, these brave families will remember where they were, and how far they have come. My husband travels to this region for work, and his comments to me over and over are, "Everyone here is so grateful. They have lost everything, and yet they have much hope for the future."
Chris Giertz, Houston, TX (Sent Dec 18, 2005 12:43:32 AM)
Hello happy new year................
walid itani,ryiadh,saudia arabia (Sent Dec 18, 2005 1:58:56 AM)
To Whom it may concern,
I recently learned from friends and family that live in Waveland, Mississippi the city fathers have an ordinance that does not allow mobile homes of any type within city limits, they will allow fema travel trailers. There are homeless people living in tents still in Waveland Mississippi many people have their own property and could afford to place a mobile home for residence until rebuilding occurs the city will not allow this .
Needless to say my brother his wife and their 3 children are living in a 32 foot travel trailer. The cries of help from the gulf coast have been heard nationwide and the good people of our country have responded, Why is it that the town fathers who complain loudly about lack of assistance from the Federal government, refuse to overturn existing ordinances to help the people of their own community.
I feel that if the small town of Waveland Mississippi received some publicity regarding this asinine "law" that maybe some of the folks of Waveland could begin to get on their feet and on the long road of recovery and rebuilding.
Michal Meaders Pensacola Florida (Sent Dec 18, 2005 12:10:38 PM)
It does not fail to amaze me that after all these people have been through they are still holding strong and trying to have a better holiday to all in the gulf coast my heart and prayers are with you this holiday season god bless and happy holidays to you all best wishes.
stacy powell johnstown pa (Sent Dec 18, 2005 2:22:44 PM)
At this time I think people such as Bill Gates,Oprah,and the movie stars as they are called,shouldsend there huge donations to the katrina people instead of countrys like Africa to name one.The Bush White House also could suspend some of the foriegn aid for a short time and we could rebuild all the areas in a much shorter timeinstead of worrying about FEMA.GOD BLESS AND KEEP ALL OF YOU BRAVE PEOPLE
Ken Chapman..Osmond Nebraska (Sent Dec 18, 2005 3:05:52 PM)
It's time the Bush administration takes care of the American people starting with all Katrina victims.
America is suffering and we are spending too much time and money in Iraq.
May you all have a blessed Christmas!
margaret dotson (Sent Dec 18, 2005 3:44:54 PM)
The people that are decorating their trailers and the ones with homes that survived - they will lead the community in it's efforts to recover. Others will follow as they get back on their feet.
susan, decatur, AL (Sent Dec 18, 2005 4:06:06 PM)
To the Katrina survivors, May God Truly Bless Each and Everyone of You this Holiday Season. As our neighbor our hearts and thoughts are always with you. You truly are the SALT OF THE EARTH.
Lorraine Evanshen, Brooklin, Ont. CANADA (Sent Dec 18, 2005 6:07:52 PM)
You people have so much hope! We Are praying for you! Remember God oves you and he always will! Merry Christmas and keep up you hope!
Loriann Shoemaker, Dean Texas (Sent Dec 18, 2005 9:03:12 PM)
They continue to amaze me.. I wish I had control to make everything better!!
CoysToy (Sent Dec 18, 2005 10:04:50 PM)
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all affected by hurricane Katrina. GOD BLESS EVERYONE!
M. Gresham, Memphis, TN (Sent Dec 18, 2005 11:31:52 PM)
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all affected by hurricane Katrina. There is nothing imposible for God and may GOD BLESS EVERYONE!!!
Maria E Rego (Sent Dec 19, 2005 7:48:16 AM)
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all affected by hurricane Katrina. There is nothing imposible for God and may GOD BLESS EVERYONE!!!
Maria E Rego (Sent Dec 19, 2005 7:50:22 AM)
GOD BLESS ALL OF YOU WHO WERE AFFECTED BY HURRICANE KATRINA---I WISH I HAD THE RESOURSES TO MAKE IT ALL BETTER FOR ALL OF YOU----MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR
M. FATONE , PELHAM, NY (Sent Dec 19, 2005 10:18:26 AM)
I have suffered through huricanes before so, believe me, i know what you are going through. God bless you all and continue to give you the strength to survive. Have a Merry Christmas and God's blessing in the New Year.
Ena, New Jersey (Sent Dec 19, 2005 11:21:48 AM)
That is real Christmas Spirit! God Bless You All!
Frank, Westland, Michigan (Sent Dec 19, 2005 11:22:42 AM)
The Spirit of Christmas lies within the soul. You folks are jsut awesome!
Don Pendleton (Sent Dec 19, 2005 12:00:26 PM)
This shows the 'true spirit' of this community despite all their hardship. God bless you all!
Loree Miller, Hanceville, Al (Sent Dec 19, 2005 12:24:00 PM)
HI EVERYONE THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR PRAYERS, AND SUPPORT. I AM A VICTIM OF KATRINA. AND A DENIED STONE OF FEMA.YOU WORK HARD PAY PLENTY OF TAXES. AND WHEN YOURE IN NEED. YOUR FEMA INSPECTOR DENIES YOU. BY SITTING AT A COMPUTER AND LOOKING AT A SATALLITE VEIW OF YOUR HOME .AND THE ONLY THING THAT HE SAYS WAS DESTROYED WAS THE DOOR AND WINDOWS BLOWN OUT. WE ALL KNOW THAT THE NATIONAL GAURDS KICKED EVERYONE'S DOORS OPEN LOOKING FOR SURVIORS.COULD THAT BE WHAT HE SAW ???? BUT GOD DID NOT BRING ME THIS FAR TO LEAVE ME.I WILL HAVE A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR. AND THE SAME TO EVERYONE. THERE IS A GREATER POWER FROM ABOVE. THAT DOES NOT SLEEP..
PAT . FORCED TO SEATTLE ,WA (Sent Dec 19, 2005 12:49:40 PM)
It does not matter you trust in God or not. It does not matter you are a Christian or not. But Christmas is for all. Celebrate it with your family and friends with joy. If you can not help others, at least don't ever think to harm others. Happy Holidays! Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year to all.
Puran P. Choudhary, Gallup NM 87305 (Sent Dec 19, 2005 1:40:50 PM)
I've been keeping up with the news of BSL/Waveland (thanks to MSNBC) since I returned home on Nov 20 after spending 9 days doing cleanup in Waveland/BSL. My heart is with all of you. You've become like family. Your strength continues to amaze me! With all that devastation, all the loss, you are able to stand strong and have hope. You are an inspiration for all of us. Merry Christmas to you all!
Leslie Rafaniello, Little Egg Harbor, NJ (Sent Dec 19, 2005 4:29:24 PM)
that is american pride!!! merry x-mas.
jerry blakeney atlanta ga (Sent Dec 19, 2005 4:31:25 PM)
Merry Christmas and god bless you
emely sanchez-gatica, parlier,ca (Sent Dec 19, 2005 4:35:26 PM)
This really makes those of us who "have it all" praise God each and every day for the things we take for granted, like a warm bed and flushing toilet. I can only pray that we all learn a lesson from these incredible people that are celebrating despite the turmoil in their day to day lives. Bless you for showing us what Christmas Spirit really is.
Patti, California (Sent Dec 19, 2005 4:38:07 PM)
Good Bless all of you on the Gulf. Hope you have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I will keep you all in my prayers. Good Bless the Animals.
Jodi, Orange, Ca (Sent Dec 19, 2005 4:51:44 PM)
What a privelege I had to work a couple of days in Waveland . To see the lights on homes was fantastic.
The destruction is far more than pictures can show.
Government or man can't control weather. What an opportunity we have to serve our friends in MS,La .Christain Life Church is making a difference.They are meeting people were they are and making a difference in their lives.What a privelege
itis to be a small part of their ministry.They have had people from every state except HA. I met people
from Canada even.This is what the true church is about!Waveland will rebuild!
Gary Alexander Little Rock Ar (Sent Dec 19, 2005 5:18:30 PM)
God Bless you all. You all are the spirit of Christmas. And it's all about the children. Happy Holidays to you all.
Anna Benware, Apex, NC (Sent Dec 19, 2005 7:30:50 PM)
God bless us all! Always stay strong! The Angels will always guide your soul, but you have to believe!! No matter what this cruel world deals us. Great article!
AJ, San Diego, CA (Sent Dec 19, 2005 7:49:43 PM)
I am a Katrina evacuee and I have temporarily relocated to Birmingham, Al. The first thing I would like to say is that the people in Alabama have been absolutly wonderful; Thank you all. Second is that people from the Gulf coast region are strong,resilient, and determined to get our lives back on track. We refuse to let the destruction of everything we had and FEMA ruin our holiday spirits. Thanks to everyone that has donated and support our efforts to rebuild. Happt Holidays and God bless.
Sean Ferrara, St. Bernard Parish,La (Sent Dec 19, 2005 8:06:39 PM)
I wish you all the best and I can`t believe our government would allow your children to live in tents.you all should have already been taken care of,God bless all of you and I hope true help arrives to you very soon. It is great that you all can stay in the spirit as I am not sure I could. Merry Christmas to all.
Laurie Jones, Forest Grove, Oregon. (Sent Dec 19, 2005 8:28:45 PM)
GooD bLeSs u ALL...HAppY nEW yEaR...
..^MeRry ChRitHmAs..
andyz.. (Sent Dec 19, 2005 9:38:37 PM)
Wow, I am truely touched and amazed with all the love and blessings I've read here. With all you have lost you have gained the admiration of many for your faith in God. Your Christian spirit has touched thousands and has given others the strength to go on. May Gods love comfort you. Merry Christmas to you all! God Bless You.
Jenny Starbuck, Canton, Mi. (Sent Dec 20, 2005 9:07:02 AM)
With all the rushing around, we forget the true meaning of Christmas, family and friends and helping
one another. I hope all the best for katrina victims
and family!
Richard bedard (Sent Dec 20, 2005 9:11:04 AM)
I think that this article is one that made me remember our own devastation after the passage of Hurricane Ivan in September 2004 and how we now have to deal with stating all over again, The Hurricane Katrina victims will DEFINATELY RECOVER AND RECOVER BETTER THEY WILL. HAVE A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A BRIGHT AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR.
Tamika, Grenada (Sent Dec 20, 2005 9:54:36 AM)
Our family was lucky that we only suffered minimal damage from Hurricane Rita. And like a lot of people, we received no help from FEMA. Whether you were a victim of Katrina or Rita the residents of the Gulf Coast and Texas will return, rebuild and bring our towns and cities back. Hope everyone has a very Merry "Blue Roof" Christmas!
J. Rose, Beaumont, Texas (Sent Dec 20, 2005 10:16:54 AM)
May Our GOD richly bless each one of you. Our prayers are with you each and every day.
James H. Lunsford Sr. (Sent Dec 20, 2005 10:58:33 AM)
May God Richly bless each one of the Katrina victums.
My prayers are with you each and every one.
Jim Lunsford (Sent Dec 20, 2005 11:03:06 AM)
It should make every grinch in America thank God for what they have even if they don't have alot. To go through a crisis as Katrina and loose everything and still have the Christmas spirit is in itself a testimony to the human spirit and the need to go on.
Lynn Kaiser, Philadelphia, Pa. (Sent Dec 20, 2005 11:07:27 AM)
god bless the people..you are in my prayers.remember the true meaning of christmas...
blairs mills pa. (Sent Dec 20, 2005 11:22:01 AM)
Just remember that if God brings you to it, He will bring you through it. May all on the gulf coast and elsewhere in the United States have a Merry, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! God bless you all!
Melissa, Thomasville, GA (Sent Dec 20, 2005 11:23:42 AM)
I love it. The south shall rise. Looking forward to the gumbo and crawfish again. Merry Christmas!!! You are the best.
Mike Brown, Cheektowaga, NY (Sent Dec 20, 2005 12:27:55 PM)
I think of all the sadness that was left by Kartina and Rita, but then I see this!! Have A Very Very Merry Christmas, and I hope a better New Year in 2006! All my love to all of you !!
Tricia Graham, Manteca, CA (Sent Dec 20, 2005 1:10:01 PM)
The human spirit that has abound after the Katrina disaster reminds us what Christmas should mean to all of us
Peter, Riverside, CA (Sent Dec 20, 2005 1:32:28 PM)
God Bless all of you,yes I did say God and Merry Christmas. And if I was a wealthy person I would send each and every one of you a CHRISTMAS TREE not a holiday tree. Christmas is for the children and it is a time to rejoice
cwc (Sent Dec 20, 2005 1:32:49 PM)
God Bless All of the Katrina Survivors. God give you joy and strength to make it through to better times.
MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Nancy Olney, Monrovia, California (Sent Dec 20, 2005 2:05:26 PM)
This is not the time for politics and finger pointing. It is the time to remember WHO we are celebrating this season. Kudos to all of you in the Gulf area. I pray that God will touch your heart and encourage your spirits. I also pray that 2006 will be a new beginning to all of you. God Bless You!
Pam Spaur, Muncie, IN (Sent Dec 20, 2005 2:12:21 PM)
Please receive a warm jug and solidarity from the puertorrican people. We know what you are passing through. May you all have a very Merry Christmas.
Victor Santos, Caguas, Puerto Rico (Sent Dec 20, 2005 2:59:50 PM)
I HAVE READ MANY ARTICLES AND EVERYONE HAS PRETTY MUCH SPOKEN BUT GOD WILL COME AND RESCUE U FROM ABUNDANCE NO WORDS CAN TAKE AWAY UR PAIN BUT UR LORD AND SAVIOR WILL SEE U THROUGH NO CHILD SHOULD BE SLEEPING OUTDOORS BUT A MOTHER AND FATHERS LOVE WILL GET THEM THROUGH AND ALSO SHOW U NOTHING IS FREE IN THIS LIFE ALL THE TAXES WE PAY AND THIS IS WHAT U GET FROM THAT REDNECK IN THE WHITE HOUSE WHO NEEDS 2 SLEEP IN A TENT NO HOT WATER NO DECENT TOILET BUT IF I MUST BE KIND TIME IS SHORT AND THE DAY IS NEAR KEEP UR FAITH AND SAY UR PRAYERS BECAUSE THE ONLY WAY THROUGH THE FATHER IS THROUGH THE SON AND STAY STRONG BECAUSE HE WOULDNT PUT NO MORE THAN U CAN BARE SO HOLD ON THE DAY WILL COME HAPPY HOLIDAYS
YOLANDA TIMES (Sent Dec 20, 2005 3:09:19 PM)
KEEP CHRISTMAS ALIVE. WAY TO GO NEW ORLEANS, REST OF
COUNTRY NEEDS TO TAKE A LOOK AT THEMSELVES THIS TIME OF YEAR.ITS THE MTA TRANSIT WHO IS THE GRICH WHO STOLE CHRISTMAS. THEY ARE JUST GREEDY AND UNCARING
PEOPLE.
ANNE DAVIS (Sent Dec 20, 2005 4:14:20 PM)
I LIVE IN WEST PALM BEACH,FL. WE HAVE BEEN THROUGH 6 HURRICAINES IN THE PAST 2 YRS. MY DAUGHTER LIVED IN WIGGINS MS. SHE LOST HER JOB AND THE KIDS SCHOOL WAS DAMAGED, THEY CAME TO FLA ON LABOR DAY.FRIENDS LET THEM STAY WITH THEM.THE FAMILY HERE IN FL HELPED THEM . WITHIN 3DAYS SHE HAD A GREAT JOB THE KIDS WERE IN SCHOOL. THEN WILMA HIT AND MY GRANDCHILDREN HIDE IN A CLOSET AND CRIED. BUT GOD TOOK CARE OF ALL OF US. I AM VERY GRATEFUL THAT MY FAMILY IS ALIVE AND WELL THIS YEAR. WE STILL HAVE FAMILY AND FRIENDS IN MS THAT STILL HAVE NO HOMES AND DO NOT KNOW WHEN THEY WILL BE OUT OF THE TENT CITIES, BUT GOD WILL TAKE CARE OF THOSE WHO HELP OTHERS.
PHYLIS NEWMAN, WEST PALM BEACH, FL (Sent Dec 20, 2005 4:32:59 PM)
God Bless, Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to all my friends and family spread out across the nation from the Gulf Coast!
Cay Thomas Jackson, MS (Formerly Gulfport,MS) (Sent Dec 20, 2005 4:54:43 PM)
These people have the real meaning of Christmas and God Bless Ya all and very Merry Christmas and a Blessed Joyous New Year to ya all and your in my prayers
Beryl Frampton,Clarendon,Pa (Sent Dec 20, 2005 5:24:58 PM)
It is people like you that make me think my life is not all that bad,I was feeling depressed and angry because I could not get my children everything on their lists this year for christmas.Most of you lost everything and are still thankful for what you have,boy do i feel selfish!!!!! My prayers and thoughts go out to everyone,Have a very merry christmas and a very blessed new year!!!!!!My hopes for 2006 is to be half as strong as all of you.
LORA RICHBURG,WINSTON SALEM NC (Sent Dec 20, 2005 6:04:55 PM)
warm thoughts and love from canada where we are all thinking about you guys. your strength inspires us all. merry christmas and may the new year bring new beginniings for everyone!
maria moudatsos, maple ridge bc CANADA (Sent Dec 20, 2005 6:45:56 PM)
to all people of the world merry Christmas and blesse new year ....
best love and wishies ..
ljaid boubker , riyadh , kingdom of saudia arabia (Sent Dec 21, 2005 3:33:14 AM)
Anne Davis, this is not about New Orleans. It is about Bay St. Louis, Mississippi and Waveland, Mississippi. If you want to hear about New Orleans, just watch any news station and pick up any newspaper or magazine. There's plenty to read and hear about New Orleans. I'm sure they have Christmas lights up on Bourbon Street for all the "children."
Jane, Tylertown, MS (Sent Dec 24, 2005 1:48:57 AM)
I'm getting to this rather late, however a victim myself, it's great to see the human Spirit of God in man/woman eschewing JOY to others no matter what has been their cost. Tho' certainly reality is far from perfect, life is one step at a time. So try, we must, to put our best foot forward, so the next step can be easier not only for ourselves, but the next person as well.
....and, yes, Jane, previous writer, they did talk NEW Orleans the most: my childhood roots were there and I cried because the memories are all that's left, but, regardless people in all the Katrina areas lost, as did the less-publicized Rita & Wilma's, and despite where we are, families are separated either by distance physically or spirit--whether death or non-chalance. The reporting of Katrina left me evacuated longer in FL where the people treated me as gold, however, news misinfor-mation @ "roads closed, too much debris, don't come back now" kept me from seeing my immediate family--or knowing they were alive for 3+weeks. My son Sean was with them, and then my 1st, 2nd, 3rd cousins all lost their homes in Chalmette, Meraux, Arabi, family homes in New Orleans East--11 that I can think to count--but the blessing is--we all got out. Yes, New Orleans was too over-publicized but ALL the Gulf Coast Hometowns in-cluding yours, AND, especially THOSE people were left-out as far as news coverage, but the GOOD of all the right people trying to help word or deed, plus the survivor Spirit of God innate in all of us should bear the BETTER time of your thoughts.
Again, I came late to this site as this posting will show: I'd love to have seen the RIGHT SPIRIT of the Christmas decorations, and seen the families who shared them; I saw the decorated trailer, the rein-deer, & one other photo, but that's all my computer resurrected at the point I found this site. Love to all, God's Best and ONE-STEP IT, YA'LL!! Remember, the first little step's the most important one you can make!
Hey, I claimed this 2006 my Best Year, & already I've had the town I live in decide after I re-acquainted with Nippy, my dog who'd been missing, that "it" was not my dog, kicked & bruised by a vol. worker at the dog rescue place mid-Nov., the City failed to get the films of the incident, tho' I was pretty much told they were probably there, then the "super" over the agency that took over the dogs told me I would be arrested if I came to look for my dog, then I "ran" Red Cross, Church, & Operation Blessing food to my mother's house to feed her, my son, my brother, my 2 twin cousins, and lo AND behold, 2 months later, forgetful mom beats me up & down my left arm--which was lyphodectomizied to check for the spread of breast cancer a little over 4 years earlier, and now to see my son I didn't see Christmas or Thanksgiving because she evidentally told all that I ran the food to that it was vv. (I DID NOT hit or threaten to hit her),I'll have to get an atty. to set it straight, & the lies. Also, 12-26 I got 2nd & 3rd-degree burns trying to run grease-pot fire out of my boyfriend's house 'cuz he proba-bly wouldn't hear me yell, then a glass door hit my head a few days later-tho' my hard head didn't break the glass, I got contusions you could feel that the doctor a few days later said would heal, I dodged a bullet--literally. I wasn't shot "at", but I dodged one anyhow, I felt it fly by my ear, then I fell twice since then, once on my lawn tripping, the other time head-first head-over-heels past an obstruction I must have closed my eyes for, abrasing my left eye, left side of my nose and mouth. (AUDIO: Rocky Theme)...Yet, oh, what a WONDERFUL YEAR---I'm still here and I've got LIFE to fight AND to LIVE!!! Get past the crud of life whether it's physical, or a person, even anyone you love. Bless Him back that formed you in the womb & thank all that share the GOOD of others--Spirit and Mind, Word & Deed, no matter where they are from. People have been blessed by Christian jailers who loosed their chains in solitary confinement in the Iraqi War, then put them back when their shift was about to end!! Thank God for the GOOD of people...Bless Ya'll, and may you have a deeper experience with God thru Jesus Christ our Lord & Saviour!! and, The Holy Spirit, do your work to comfort and guide us all!!! Much love!!
Denise Licausi, Slidell, Louisiana (Sent Jan 11, 2006 3:39:48 PM)
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