you're right ....send me the officers adress...i'll send him ...a good pair of boots....need to know his size

A million dollars could build a lot of homes, maybe not large, maybe not full of the latest and best high end whistles and bells - but safe, secure HOMES. Wonder if there is a wealthy person out there that wants to try doing just this one thing towards giving quite a few families a start at getting their lives back.

Sad but true What have we become? And when will it be another guys turn to be screwed.

Patti,
I'm also so frustrated that the recent legislation for aid to Katrina victims HAD to be linked to funding for Iraq and Afghanistan. There is something so morally wrong with the whole picture.

I can't wait to come back in July and August to work. I think about the people of Hancock County every single day and my prayers continue!

I have one for you.
Single mom who lost 90% of her home's contents to Katrina is back in her home. She has done this with insurance proceeds that were very fair even though she did not have flood insurance. She received help from FEMA also. She got in her house timely thanks to a contractor that did they work at a reasonable fee. There were a few generous kind friends who made sure she did not go crazy which meant so much to her and she much apprecates it. There were also some friends who strangely enough turned their backs to her in the time of need.
Being in her home is hard for her because she sees so many that are not and that are still waiting for help from FEMA and their insurance company. Seeing the elderly in the area without insurance, homes or help is difficult and she hopes to see them in homes timely.

Great post, Patti! Glad to know he/she found shoes.

Hi Patti,
first,let me say I am so happy you are well. Second, please be careful. In my opinion one of the biggest obstacles we will be asked to overcome is resentment. You are asolutely correct in your statements. But as a wonderful citizen of Gulfport told me many times over many years " We can never be destroyed from without, but we can be destroyed from within."
It would be the biggest crime of all if WE became a self-centered, resentful community. And WE ARE A COMMUNITY! Let those that don't know run their mouths all they wish. They answer to a different authority than I.
This may sound silly to some, but maybe God blessed us with a terrible cross to bear to make us better people. Like my Gulfport friend always says "God will never give me more than I can bear. Whether "I" think so or not." The tendancy fall into blame and back-biting and finger-pointing is normal, however it is ultimately a waste of time & effort.
As much as I hate it, sometimes people are just a**h*l*s. Most people operate under the attitude that their stumped toe hurts worse than my broke leg. If I'm honest with myself, I'm the same way. Destruction of the bondage of self will get us all thru this. Thinking of others when self-pity hits. Make a gratitude list when I think I have it bad & be grateful that I didn't lose more than I have. Gratitude is an action, not an emotion. If I am truly grateful for what I have I show it. Ironically, by giving away what has been so freely given to me.
It is absolutely the hardest thing I have ever had to do. Especially during the times when the sense of loss and finality hit me. When remorse and what ifs and whys occupy my head, that is the last attitude I want to have.
You don't know me & probably never will. However, our connection is greater than I have with all those people who don't know & don't care. We're from the
Mississippi Gulf Coast. Not "nawlins'" or Florida. We are from somewhere (most of us) between Hwy 90 & I-10, just a little north of the Mississippi Sound. And I wouldn't want to be anywhere else.

Susan from Bay St. Louis: Don’t know how old Single Mother’s kids are, but she will never have a more perfect opportunity to teach by example that it IS truly more blessed to give than receive. If her children are adolescent, they can help these elderly with some of the more strenuous tasks. It won’t seem like she has money left over for any but her own, but a couple of bucks here, a couple of bucks there (i.e.: extra package batteries, small cheap flashlights, a few extra cans of tuna or pork and beans), spread over the next four months and she’ll hardly notice it. I know she’s tired when she gets home from her “outside” job and starts her second job: mommy, head of household – but the only way to appease her "survivor's guilt" is action. Be creative – roll mawmaw’s hair and comb it out for church – she might need the “girlfriend” time away from pawpaw’s monologues about “what-they-oughta-be-doin’”. LOL! They are also frightened as they are very much aware of their diminishing physical capabilities, and children can help in more ways than we normally think: any child in the sixth grade or higher can help someone with failing eyesight to complete forms, or write up a large-print phone list using black markers. In the event of another storm, they can help gather and pack what few essential belongings these folks have left (important papers, etc.) to store maybe at their church or another safe place. These elderly that are trying to stay here, in the home of their hearts, can “pay” for these deeds by teaching us – most WWII Veterans know Morse Code – always good to know when there is no technology operating – kids of most all ages can learn this easily. These are just examples and may not be possible for Single Mom, but the idea is that EVERYONE can contribute to Mississippi’s strength, independence and undeniably unique presence among our sister states in this U.S.A.

We are all in a place where we have to learn a new way of being good neighbors and friends. I predict that the barter system will flourish here in the next year as we learn to function in more self-reliant ways. I also think that it might be the best thing that ever happened to us as we become better equipped to deal with…well, anything.

Patti, There's just got to be compensation for first responders injured in the line of duty. I don't know what to say. Just know that I am thinking of you and praying for you all to find a new hope and inspiration for the future, that will quickly move you into a better situation. Don't lose sight of all those things you have to offer to each other and the community. Security comes not in what we have, but in who we are.

I used to be embarassed by our society and how shallow it is...that part of things is all you see on the TV...but this storm has made me proud to call myself an American. It's pulled me back to my roots and renewed my faith in our people...the ones out there working and helping and building each other up. We've all got things to give, no matter how small, and they all matter immensely, even if we never see the results ourselves. So figure out your part...I know you have one and just trust the rest to fall into place. I truly believe that it will, when you step out in faith. Praying with you and for you! Laurie

Carol, tuna pork and beans are good.....stay away from beene wienees{hickory smoked}.....yuck...dem thangs will gag ya!!!....trust me...i tryed it....oh be carefull of da fruitcakes too....hope ya'll are gettin better!!

Carol you are so right in your comments and suggestions which I would like to make a comment about that. I find some of us here from this area are not doing enough in our part of helping the community. I wish my kids did more. I know for myself I want to help but I still have not taken a break and at times the where I been and where I am now hits me and I go crazy because my progress is unbelievable. It is hard for us here to believe how much time has really gone by with progress going so slow.
I think lots of us here are suffering from burn out. How to you tell teenagers here to go volunteer, help when they too are burnt out. The children here from toddlers to teenagers have thrown all their belongings to a curb with some items to never been replaced again. To the world, out kids are not lazy they too are suffering from their own post traumatic stress disorder too. Please remember that. We really do not need pencils, cd players, back packs we need more moral support now. The hard part of that is how do we obtain that for our youth?

Our youth have no where to go, no show, no skating ring, no "Da Beach House" to hang out at. We need our movie theatre back. (that would be so good for adults and kids) Maybe this could be a community event. We need local unwinding events.

I am a Katrina reffugee that has relocated to New York. I have seen some good and bad since my famialy went through Katrina. I lived in Gulfport during and after Katrina. While I was still in Mississippi I lived in 5 differnt shelters and on the cruise ship after the hurricane. In December I felt that it was time to relocate with my 4 children. After we got to New York stayed in 4 different motels and now we are finaily in an appartment. FEMA is not paying my rent or given me any setlement for the lost property. We are still doing good thanks to the wonderful help from our neighbors and New York. This only a peice of our story. We are making it with the Lords and the support of the comunity.

Susan, Bay St. Lois:

Oh, honey, I know 'bout bein' tired! And yeah, I know kids are burned out. But I also remember I couldn't make my own bed without a half-day's sulking or fighting, but I would go to my favorite aunt's or a girlfriends and spring-clean their whole house!! LOL! Maybe if it's different from what they've been shouldering, and implies more "grown up" responsibility, especially pre-teeners, they may be more eager. But, yeah...I certainly didn't mean to make light of where you and yours are and where they came from. Ease yours and their hearts a little by sending a card or a few bucks to Australia - you know, "pay it forward". Maybe just that act, out of the ordinary, will keep the "spark" from dyin' out - along with your strength.
It doesn't help that we've gone into a count-down mode for the next season. Kinda makes ya panicky, eh?
Whatever you do or don't do, Susan, ya ain't by yourself, no matter how you felt pre-Katrina. Think James Taylor: "...you just call out my name...I'll come runnin'..."

Carol I really don't understand how you can suggest to anyone whose home was severly destroyed by Hurricane Katrina to send money out the country. Do you actually think we received enough insurance proceeds to actually do all the repairs that are needed to our homes? Do you really live in Biloxi? If so you should know what is going on.
Also, if I had bucks to giveaway I would give it to someone in my own town who lost their job and their child needs shoes or even a new t-shirt. The high school band kids who lost their instruments but cannot turn to their parents for a new one because that is not on the list of what is important.
What about the high school seniors who lost their jobs but yet prom is coming and they too cannot turn to their parents.
Carol - come on down here and see what it is about.
I don't know any of these kids that sulked. They just have seen everything they own thrown in a trash pile and know the world is no longer the same. That has nothing to do with making a bed. I am talking tearing out walls of their home. There is a difference. All the kids here have gained a maturity that some adults will never reach.
Did you eat MRE's and stand in line for ice every day?
My kids did. (and we had to use the melted ice the next day to clean with - these kids never sulked)

Hi, First time looking at this site. It is sad when our real heroes dont have the necessary tools, in this case , some shoes while the unimportant stuff gets reported. My mom, and most of the rest of my family live in the Louisiana, and Mississippi Gulf coast (Gulfport and Long Beach). You find this officer and if you can , you or him contact me and I will see he gets some shoes. Thank you. , and this officer because while the storm was going on He was probably out there in it!!

Even though it did not make the news…
THE QUESTION IS ?????
Why would someone have to pay for a DONATED pair of shoes or anything that has been DONATED to the Gulf area? The people in the devastated areas are still in need of everything necessary to sustain life. Why would anyone make them pay for a DONATED item? It’s sad to hear that donated clothing of any kind is not GIVEN AWAY, like it was intended from the person that originally DONATED IT.

Susan, Bay St. Louis: Whooaa…I either did not make my thoughts clear or you misread me – but first of all, yes ma’am I AM from Biloxi, and yes, I stood in line for ice and baked in my car for hours in gas lines. MRE’s? The Chicken Tetrazinni was the best, and I stole all the cookies from all of our MRE’s and munched ‘em in the middle of the hot nights when I couldn’t sleep. I did not receive severe damage, no flooding, just wind and rain. My mother did not fare so well, nor did my handi-capped brother…and what happens to them, happens to me. “Come down here”?! I’d give all my gas cans and that raggedy ole generator for a trip outta here!
As for sulking?! I was referring to MYSELF, at the self-absorbed age of 14 – 16. I know how well the children from here have handled this life changing trauma. I wrote the children of this area a letter (See Children of the Storm II, Steve) praising them and encouraging them to grow strong and confident because they HAD endured what we all hope is the worst of their lives. I watched little kids who probably hadn’t minded without threats in two years stand quietly, without even the normal fidgeting that small children would do in the best of circumstances, much less in the heat for hours. It was unnatural and frightening.
Giving money away? Who said how much? I sent $5.00 – FIVE DOLLARS - to a fund for the tornado victims and $5.00 – FIVE DOLLARS – to Australia. I understand that money is probably best spent in this country – but, I also know, that you get what you put out – you reap what you sow – call it Karma or whatever– and I wanted that small bit of “credit” comin’ to me if we do, in fact, have another bad season as they are predicting.
You don’t have $5.00? Been there, and I totally understand that. And honey, if you need my next spare $5.00 I will send it to you today. It’s all I can spare, it’s represents pretty much most of my expendable income these days, but hey! Since Katrina, I figure – What am I saving it for? My “summer” retirement home?! My condo on the beach? LOL! No, it’s better used now – for me or someone else, it hardly matters. My child is 26 and lives in Portland, Oregon. I have no small children to clothe, educate or shelter. My “pay-it-forward” was an IDEA – a CONCEPT that can be revised to suit the circumstances. I reread my words to see if I had been too “preachy” or something – but all I read was the same thing that hundreds of us have been doing all this time – trying to make sense and trying to prepare and just basically trying to get a handle on things.
My husband and I have sheltered and fed over a dozen homeless men who came to work for us – we made sure that they would be warm and as comfortable as possible for all the time that they were employed. We loaned them our camping gear and went to Academy and purchased other items that might make tent-living a little more bearable. I might add, that this was done on our parts for these young men because they were LOCAL boys, not ONE was from somewhere else who thought this was the end of the rainbow (HA!). A job and camping gear was what we had and will do it again every time there’s a need.
I am really sorry if you took offense at my last posting, and I can assure you that I had no objective but to “spout off” possible solutions – suggestions – anything that made ME feel less helpless.
So far, nothing I’ve done has taken that helplessness away, but I’ll keep plugging at it…silently now, because I truly do not want to offend or anger or upset or even bore someone with quite enough on their plate. (Last sentence read with genuine sincerity and not the facetiousness that the words might suggest.)

O.K. Patti..Jean got me thinkin'....weren't the shoes donated?.....shoot i give men clothes who work for me....i'll give em to eany one else who needs em Put a new post on soon...cause i love ta read them....take care!!!

I wrote my last post tired and hungry and in the heat of my indignant defense, I did not detail all of our efforts and separate all parties. I just stated the main elements of my point:

There were two men of the twelve or so that were from out of town. As well, we did not loan camping gear to all: we loaned money to a couple of them to tide them over until their first paycheck.
I apologize for the defensive tone of that post. Not having had my dinner yet and being tired from a long day's work is the excuse I offer, but, today, rested and fed and in retrospect - I should have just apologized and let it go. And with the record straight and a calmer head (and heart) I do this now - I apologize.

Carol, just do what i do....when ya eyes fly open in the morning....hey....it's a good day...i'm still alive!!!!.....if i don't wake....that will be a bad day.....SMILE and we will smile with ya!!!

Carol, God's grace to you because you have described what it means to be joyous in the face of adversity. When Jesus taught us to be joyful at all times, He didn't mean the kind of joy that we feel when things are good - He meant the kind of joy that comes from living in the Spirit. You have it, and I wish it for those who take offense to your kind-hearted suggestions. We'll come through this, too. Prayers for all.

All,
I live in Huntsville AL. Myself, along with my husband and group of volunteers from our 3 Episcopal churches in town were down in Long Beach MS for a week in January at the Lutheran/Episcopal volunteer site called Camp Coast Care. At that time they were needing donations of food, clothing, medicine etc. Now Camp coast Care is telling us to just send food medicine and gift cards for Home Depot and Lowes. From what I understand the price for building materials have gone up considerably since pre-Katrina. Is it better to have the gift cards or actual building materials. I know it is more expensive to haul things down there but I just wonder which is better, gift cards or actual materials. I will pass on any info to Camp Coast care and the churches up here. I hope to be back down there next fall for more volunteer work. I just love the spirit of all y'all. Gods Peace to everyone.
In Christ, Lorri Lance Huntsville AL

you know that if every movie star, millionaire etc. gave 1 million or a half of mill. every house , buisness, would be already rebuilt in all the states hit by this diaster.

Lorri Lance, how did ya'll fare in friday night storm?...we are alright...hope y'all are too!...Huntsville ain't too awfule far{ scuse my spellin,}

Anyone in the affected area...i always said that ot os the rich people's job to look out for thise that are less fortunate due to money and/or disasters...i have always made a promise to GOD and myself that if i ever hit the lottery i would share with people like you all that truly need the help. If you guys have any immediate need for items, please send emails to me at the following address. Please include anything that you need, no matter how lavish or insane it may sound. While I cannot promise you that I will be able to help/provide everything requested, I have contacts both personal and business wise that I may be able to use to help. The address is: iwanttohelpwhomican@hotmail.com
Please send me anything that you feel is needed...please include contact info...if you prefer that I call then include a phone number...if an address is better then that is fine...and maybe some people that may benefit from this may not have access to a PC please pass the message along...I am hoping in the near future to get a web address up and running to make things a little easier. Thanks.

I used to live in Pass Christian, went to church at Trinity right off of Hwy 90. This was some of the best times I have had in my life....so beautiful. I send what I can down there and my prayers are with all of you. God Bless.