God Bless you all. Our prayers are with you here in Louisiana. This horrible disaster we have faced is a reminder to this world that God is in control! We will never forget this nor the people that have struggled and still struggle today.

Having helped in Biloxi at the Edgewater Mall as an architect from California, I will never foget what I experienced. The people of the Gulf Coast are always in my mind and I take every opportunity I get to remind others to never forget also!!

Mary, Every post of yours makes me cry. Our family will never forget the Bay or the years we spent there. It is in our blood and we are so grateful for the way it shaped us as we grew up. I know for Kathie it is both harder and easier than for the rest of us. She gets to come down on a regular basis and talk with people for the ongoing documentaries and can see with her own eyes how things are going, and she can help. We come and help when we can, but we're so far away and don't really know what would be most helpful, often times. But Kathie also has memories of what she couldn't do in the days immediately after the storm that break her heart. Unrealistic expectations that we placed on her, when we were desparate for news of friends and loved ones. Reporters are supposed to report and how do you do that...when you are reporting on what feels like your own family and the tragedy that they are trying to live through and what you most want to do is to stop the camera and help? We all have to do the best we can in situations like this and I'm proud of her and how she has fought for the Bay/Waveland area in ways most people may never know about. I think God places us where we are and prepares us all our lives for critical moments. I think Kathie was placed where she was, when she was, caring the way she does, so that the Bay/Waveland area would not be forgotten.

When Kathie reported the night before the storm from Mobile, she said, "Pray for New Orleans." I was stunned that she had mentioned prayer on national TV, and was so proud of her. We all were and we started praying. From all over the country, my family members suddenly had this realization as we prayed: The only way the people trapped in New Orleans would be spared, was if the storm went east. We each, in our heart, knew what that meant...it woud hit hardest in Waveland, the Bay, Diamondhead, Pass Christian, Long Beach, Biloxi, Ocean Springs, Pascagoula...and we said, "Ok Lord...Please make them strong. Please help our friends and our family members. Spare their lives. Please, please...Lord." The days after, with no news were agonizing. We did find out that family members were ok, but all the friends we were looking for were listed as missing. When you all were going through hell...we were praying and desperately trying to figure out what to do and how to help.

I think the people who were raised in the Bay and Waveland and the other lovely towns along the Mississippi Gulf Coast, or those who vacationed there, who have found it somehow to be a part of their life, will never forget. Like Kathie, they too, were able to help friends and family because they were placed somewhere where they had intact homes where family could flee and find some solace and refreshment. I know that my little family here in Colorado has been hit by the storm and in the months since, I've had to consciously pull my heart back from the Bay daily and reengage and force myself to focus on my life in Colorado. I know that is true of my other friends who were also not living in the area when the storm hit. We all have to do a balancing act between helping and keeping a solid life in place where we are, so that we will be able to continue to be in a postion to help and will properly care for and nurture our families.

This storm has brought out so much good in people, that despite the horrible, painful destruction that is really beyond anything we've ever seen before, I think that we have all somehow been blessed by it. I know what and who matters to me. I know that life is fragile and fleeting. I know I have to say thank you and I love you, and I care...because it's wrong to take the quiet goodness of life and people for granted. I'll send my own email to Brian Wallace encouraging him to keep reporting on the coast. Maybe those of you who read these posts will do the same.
God bless you and the puppy, Mary!

Mary, that is great news about your house plans. This has truly been the year of the relief worker and volunteer around the world. It is heartening to know that while some people do not understand the totality of your losses, there are so many church groups coming down to help build houses and support residents.

I have admired Brian Williams' dedication to the Katrina story, as well as Anderson Cooper and Shepard Smith. That anyone would email to have LESS coverage of the follow up is appalling, especially considering how much air time is dedicated to the true crime or scandal story of the moment.

Thank you so much MsNBC as you have shown your devotion to NOT allowing these folks to be forgotten...by the media or the nation!

I will always keep them in my prayers - everyday!

Keeping the Faith - always,
Stephen Rene
www.ParentsWhoCare.us
www.eBusinessProfessionals.us
http://FathersWhoCare.blogspot.com

Honey, you will never be forgotten....not by me at least....bless you and yours....we are kinda like that little manwith da big shoes"Keep on Truckin'"

Ya-hooooooo to you, Mary, on getting your building permit!!!!! You're finally moving up in the world - again. That is such great news; I'm so happy for you I'm about to tear up just thinking about how hard you've worked to get to this point. I'm hoping that the good will and volunteers who have helped with Waveland will be able to branch out to other communities in the near future.

Hi Mary,

I was just looking thru the diaries and wanted to say that while some people may contact Brian Williams saying they're tired of Katrina news, many more of us are very interested in hearing about the troubles and progress that you and other Gulf Coast residents are experiencing.

I went to Louisiana and Mississippi in late Feb and had my own look at the destruction and was just floored by the sheer scale of it. I didn't even get over to Alabama, or Southern and Western Louisiana... I often write to media outlets (I live in Tokyo, so it's usually CNN) and tell them that I think they should have a daily news show dedicated specifically to the Katrina/Rita recovery.

I guess that there had been some cleanup/improvement from September '05 to Feb. '06, but you said above, some of the areas (Waveland, Lower 9th in NO, St. Bernanrd Parish, etc.) still look like they were just hit yesterday. I met a guy who was up from Florida clearing trees in Mississippi when I was there and he said he expects it will take them 5 years just to clean up the trees. It deserves our full attention as Americans and frankly, I wish we'd quit wasting our money on overseas misadventures when so much work needs to be done at home.

Anyway, I enjoy your posts and look forward to more. It would be very difficult to go thru what you people are going thru everyday, but you are definitely in our hearts.

And to MSNBC and the other media outlets - this is real news that deserves your coverage. If you think it's crowding out other stories, drop the celebrity gossip (Michael Jackson, etc.) and stick with the real stories!

Mary, enjoyed reading about the progress on your place. May God bless you.
And Laurie, I'll be e-mailing Brian Willliams and others. I would never have thought we would have to do that - with people still in tents on the Coast. I would have thought that that in itself would be newsworthy. You always write just the right thing. Thanks.

They have forgotten us, especially down here in Cedar Point in Bay Saint Louis. We get the distinct impression they do not want us to rebuild. There isn't any help for us, volunteers don't even come to this area. And as for the news that FEMA is urging everyone to start rebuilding and get out of the trailers, that is a joke. We now have to report every month what we are doing to get out of the trailers. HELLO FEMA, we don't even have people in the trailers yet because of the debris. How do they expect us to rebuild and get out when no one will help? The govenor has forgotten us. Everyone has forgotten us except for the looters which we STILL run off daily.

Dear Mary, Our youth group here in Memphis hasn't forgotten y'all. We're sending our children down to Moss Point this summer to help, rather than sending them on their usual Panama City retreat. I know of two teen-agers whose minds and hearts and bodies are ready to come to work! We still pray for you all. Please remember that God will not forsake you. "All things work together for good for those who love the Lord." And it's true. I won't go into any detail, but our lives seemed on the brink of total collapse several times in the past few years. But faith and never giving up pulled us through and made us very, very strong, both individually and as a family. God bless you.

You are not forgotten! My family came down to Slidell to help a family during spring break. We drove over one night to Waveland to see the town. We were all suprised at the destruction and lack of action taken in that town. We also felt horrible that we hadn't found a family in Waveland to help instead of Slidell. Waveland was destroyed compared to Slidell. I left that area with a new mission~to let others around the country know how bad it is there and will be for years. We need to help our citizens of our country and get our heads out of the sand. These people need help and now. We were so suprised on how little has been done. There are still clothes hanging in trees in Waveland. You are all in our families prayers and we will be back to help the people of Mississippi next trip.

Mary, thank you for your post. Like Lauri, I cry everytime you write. I must tell you that friends, neighbors and colleagues here in Virginia frequently inquire of my family and friends who's homes were ravaged by the storm. I know in my heart that they have been deeply moved by the tragedy that you are living and continue to look for ways that they can help. Last night I had an opportunity to pass on infomation re: shelter possibilities in the Bay-Waveland area to a potential volunteer team that has been working in Biloxi. Also, I work at an alternative school that serves kids with a variety of disabilities. Three of these kids selected songs from the Hurricane Relief album to sing for our talent show. They are in the process of selecting a series of slides to run during their performances. They seem compelled to express strong feelings about their concerns for all of you. In working with the students as we develop an ensemble production, I am sometimes moved to tears. They seem so committed to a "cause" - not something many of us would expect from emotionally or developmentally disabled teens. Their drive to tell your story through music and video is remarkable and may very well prove inspirationl to many of the adult staff and family members who will attend. Please know that you are thought of daily and the stregnth that you and all of the people of the Gulf Coast Region have demonstrated has not gone unnoticed. So, "Let Your Light Shine", as one of the songs demands and others will follow your example. I hope I have the opportunity to meet you one day. I'll be spending most of July and August in the Bay!

I have just returned from Bay St.Louis after spending 8 days working to help one family to regain some sense of a normal life. The total destruction of this region of our country was mind numbing.Over eight months have passed since "the storm"as it is called by locals,[as though" Katrina" was a vulger word]and the whole town still looks as though a bomb went off.It will take years to rebuild these coastal towns, and as many elderly community members told me,"it will never be the same."The head of the local historical society told me that over 500 homes on the state register were total losses and many more are "iffy".These were not just old homes and buildings,the treasures that they held were an irreplacable part of our southern heritage,swept away, never to be seen by our next generations. As our team worked we saw volunteers from at least 17 states and they were all making a difference even if it was one home at a time.I know this will not be my last trip to "The Bay", nor will it be the last trip for thousands of others who honestly care.Our thoughts and prayers are with you always.

This is Anna from Kansas, I am from the south by way of my mother, Anna Salard, who was born and raised in Cloutierville, right around Colfax and Lena. I have seen high water and alot of rain around those parts but have never been through what y'all been through. I have heard lots of stories from my family and can't even imagine what you must be going through. My thoughts and prayers are with you. I would like to take my kids down there to show them the destruction you have had deal with. They do not understand how good we have it here in the mid-central states. Good Luck and best wishes from us folk here in Kansas. If anyone out there would like to respond to my thougths, please e-mail at afwkew2004@hotmail.com, I'd love to here from ya'all...

Karen, Kill those looters...the WORLD will be a better place...without that type!....and you are not forgotten....PEACE!!!

Mary,
I too heard Brian Williams' report and while I appreciate the fairness of reporting negative email I was infuriated by the comments. What happened to the Gulf Coast is a national tragedy. It is not something that should be forgotten. We are one nation, one family and we need to care for each other in times of need whether it be across the street or across the country. Living in a coastal community albeit in New England, I share your fears and your hopes. Know that many people in this country care about the people of the Gulf Coast. You and all of the Gulf Coast are in my thoughts daily. I look forward to further news on the progress and achievements of you and your neighbors. Be strong!

God Bless you Mary. I was so glad to see this whole coverage on Katrina and the aftermath on MSNBC and I will share my support for the coverage to the producers. We haven't forgotten you darlin'. I email my ENTIRE email group and I blog about it every month. I beg my friends and family to keep giving. I do. We love you as American family and darnit, we aren't going to let you guys down-even if the Government did. Love to all of you.

Mary, Congratulations on getting your building permit. Please know that you are not forgotten. I am getting ready for my third trip to BSL/Waveland. Ya'll have touched my heart so much I wish I could be there more often. My college age daughter,in Elon University from NC has been there many times and is now planning 2 more trips for the Fall. Over 100 kids from that school have been there to volunteer. It truly has chnaged their lives. I know my daughter is a different person for having met all of you awesome people. Once you take a trip there and see the amount of devastation you cannot help but want to become part of the cleanup and rebuilding. Not a day goes by that I don't think of my time there, hoping and praying for the people that I immediately felt connected to. I do know that many Church groups are planning summer trips. God Bless you all.

Thank you to all who have not forgotten us. Me and my children suffered a great loss from the hurricane and had to relocate because of it. It still makes me want to cry when I see all the damage done.

I have been to the Gulf Coast in Mississippi the help in the clean-up and rebuilding three times since the hurricane. I was amazed at the strengtrh and stamina shown by these people.

It made me extremely proud to see their faith and determination. In Bay St. Louis, I never heard complaints, only the feeling that we still have our lives and God is with us and we will rebuild.
I plan to return again to help.
I went as part of a church group twice and once on my own and was so impressed at all the different religious organizations were represented there.

During Easter break thousands of college students arrived to work.

I thank God for the opportunity to meet these wonderful and gracious people of Mississippi and I will always have a special placew in my heart for them

Mary, we are MISSISSIPPIANS.....love ya!

It's extremely sad that people don't realize the current situation on the Gulf Coast. The news reports about new legislation and changes in FEMA, and "how the government will prevent such devestation from ever happening again", but they don't report on the day-to-day experiences that you all on the coast are having to endure. Having been to Biloxi, Pascagoula, Mobile Bay, and St. Bernard's Parish (in March), I think about what I witnessed, every day. And every opportunity I get, I tell people just how little has been done in those areas. People are shocked when I show them pictures of boats that are still sitting in the middle of streets, or houses that haven't been touched in 8 months. I promise to continue to spread the word, and just know that, even here in Chicago, you have NOT been forgotten. God Bless.

It was so good to find this blog of encouragement and hope. I will be going south the end of June to spend several months helping out down there. Yesterday on the trolley here in San Diego I talked to a lady from Alabama who had friends and family loose everything in Katrina, she shared how much was still to be done, how sad it is still down there. It got real quiet in our part of the trolley. People need to be reminded, so keep on talking, keep on posting, and know that we are praying for you, and many will still come to help. God bless you, dc ps

Mary: There are many in St. Bernard and Plaquemine, LA that would echo your sentiments. So much here is being shown of the 9th ward that many other areas are being ignored. Just regular middle class neighborhoods, not slums. New Orleans right now is 180 square miles of deserted houses that are being looted daily. I try not to watch the local news any more because of the reports. We are still hauling trees. It will be a long time (years) before life here is normal and I thank NBC for continuing to report the story. Rudy Guiliani was here last week and he told the reporters to stop comparing what happened to New Orleans and the Gulf Coast to 9/11. He said there was no comparison. 9/11 was one 16 acre site in the city and what he saw here was "MILES AND MILES OF TOTAL DEVASTATION." We apologize to the rest of the country if they are bored with this story. We are living it. And may God Bless the folks that have come in to help on their own. These volunteers (not the Feds) are what makes us feel like we still live in America.