Progress continues on Mary Perkins’ new home. Photo courtesy of Mary Perkins
We made it!!
Somehow, we made it through the first year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. I woke up that morning crying, not knowing why. Then I attended a morning memorial service on the beach in Waveland. Then I knew why. As Waveland Mayor Tommy Longo read the names of those who lost their lives in the storm, all attending were in tears. Then Connie Heitzmann sang "On Eagles Wings." It was so beautiful we could hardly contain ourselves as we thought of those who died in the storm. And then they placed a wreath on the water's edge on the sand in memory of those people, while a man played "Oh Danny Boy" on the harmonica. It was a truly moving experience.
Then there was the dedication of a new children's park. Then a luncheon with about 165 people in town in honor of elected officials and all their hard work this past year. U.S. Congressman Gene Taylor spoke of how FEMA head Mike Brown was in Baton Rouge during the height of Katrina having a steak, but Chamber Director Tish Williams told him that we were having our steak dinner today. And it was good, and we all seemed to feel better about things. Then there was a parade down Coleman Avenue in Waveland with Gov. Haley Barbour and the first lady, a little more reflection and then a party.
It was a very emotional day for me, and yet I made it through until 6 p.m. As Mayor Longo said, "We had our memorial this morning to remember the dead, and now we are having a parade to celebrate life in Waveland. Tomorrow we begin rebuilding again."
From the photo attached, you can see more progress on my house. Bill and I put the house wrap on several weeks ago and set the windows. What you cannot see is what's on the inside. The plumber has put the bathtub in and done the other plumbing work for phase two, the ductwork and inside unit are in for the central air and heat and we have begun placing the electrical boxes.
Once that is finished, the wiring begins. The vinyl installer begins Sept. 5, and then we will be able to see a dramatic difference. There is definitely light at the end of the tunnel now, and I am getting rather anxious. I am ready to go home. It won't be the same, but I will make it my home and I'll be happy there. After the wiring inspection, the volunteers will come and put the insulation in and screw the sheetrock onto the walls. A friend of mine will spray paint the entire inside for me at no cost. All I have to do is buy the paint.
You know, one year later, things here are still tough and we have a long way to go. But, today, I seem to feel better about where we are going. Now, tomorrow I may feel differently, but today is good. And I am glad we made it through the anniversary.
Keep reading my blogs. And don't forget us here. We still a great deal of help.
A year and a day
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Mary, your new home looks like it will be very comfy and welcoming! I am thrilled for you and happy to see and hear about the progress. I know there is still a lot to do. Don't worry, we haven't forgotten you there. (I really enjoyed hearing Haley Barbour talk about the great people of Mississippi on MSNBC's coverage of the anniversary of the storm. The things he said were so true - no whining, just good people pitching in and helping each other to get back on their feet, along with a few volunteers of course.) God bless you in your new home!
Cher, Indiana (Sent Sep 1, 2006 12:35:15 PM)
I'm glad you made it through the anniversary, too--that does sound like it was very emotional--and I'm glad to hear you seem to feel better about where you're going even though things have been tough.
I won't forget you and everyone else there--some Americans may a year later think Katrina is old news--but it won't be as long as people on the Gulf Coast are still dealing with her aftermath, rebuilding, and recovering, and as long as there are people outside the area who still care.
Take care. Hope you can move into that adorable new home soon!
Olivia Elizabeth Burdon, Peoria, Ill. (Sent Sep 1, 2006 2:10:47 PM)
Thank you for your blogs, Mary. I will be sharing parts of this one and the one you wrote on Aug 23 with our congregation during worship tomorrow, as we remember Katrina and the people affected by it. We pray every Sunday, however, for all of you whose lives have been affected by this (and other) disasters -- and will continue to do so.
It is good to see the progress on your house!
Bev, Kansas (Sent Sep 2, 2006 2:34:40 PM)
Mary - the LORD said "all you need is a mustard seed of Faith" - I see you have always had your mustard seed worth - CONGRAT's to YOU and your FAMILY on the building of YOUR new homw - Good luck to all you do going forward!
Felicia Sullivan, Greenville, SC (Sent Sep 3, 2006 2:33:07 PM)
Mary - God Bless you and everyone down there. Your story of recovery has touched every heart of those reading your story. I know how hard it must be for you, but I see you are a strong-willed family and it is good to see you recovering and the community pitching in to help so much. That is what we are about here in the south! Again, congratulations and God Bless you!
Bruce Mosier, Henderson, Tennessee (Sent Sep 4, 2006 10:15:14 AM)
" Mustard Seed" gee now i'm REALLY confused!.... dangitt ...that ain't right. Shoot don't care who ya are It Ain't right! If ....no let me stop. D*%%%&*+_ Muther&&&6%44322###_0(ing Shi*...! OH WELL.
andy,booneville ms. (Sent Sep 4, 2006 6:07:42 PM)
"I will make it my home and I'll be happy there." All your posts are wonderful, and this simple phrase is the most moving. We won't forget you.
Denise, Chicago (Sent Sep 5, 2006 4:54:38 PM)
Blessings, Mrs. Perkins.
andy,booneville ms. (Sent Sep 7, 2006 6:52:15 PM)
The past few weeks have seen a major decline in volunteers coming to Waveland. It may be because of the heat - or maybe fear of another storm. But the need for help is great and the workers are few.We need all of the help we can get to help get these wonderful people's lives back together. Please visit our web site and consider coming to Waveland to volunteer to help! www.stclarerecovery.com
John, Columbus, IN (Sent Sep 9, 2006 7:16:12 PM)
Mary Margaret,
This is Ann Gail Jordan (BeBe's daughter)in Texas. I couldn't believe it when I saw you!! I sent this to Sarah Margaret. How is Ann? Please, please get in touch: annjordan1@hughes.net
Ann Jordan, Carthage, Texas (Sent Sep 10, 2006 1:28:36 AM)
Hey, Mary you Pokey and Freeway are not forgotten. Send more blogs! I hope that new home is done.
andy,booneville ms. (Sent Sep 10, 2006 10:02:26 AM)
Mary, I cried when I saw the recent photo of your house. The progress has been great, it will soon be a home. I continue to think of you and pray for you and those helping you rebuild. It has been great for me to have helped even if it was in a small way. Also, to be able to share with others the devastion that is still there and the help that is still much needed. God Bless!
Dori Funyak, Pittsburgh, PA (Sent Sep 14, 2006 11:23:49 AM)
Mary- I'm so glad to see the progress on your house.
I was in BSL in March and 3 of us helped shelve books at the library among other things. I will be returning with another group in Oct. I have been spreading the word about the Gulf Coast. You will not be forgotten.
Marcia Emerson, Dublin, OH (Sent Sep 16, 2006 4:24:52 PM)
August 28, 2005.. My family evacuated by piling into a small mazda protege (2 adults, 4 kids, and one cat).We thought we would be gone for 3 days, not 1 year, 1 month,and days later. And my house was destroyed by Katrina. The house still sits in Pass Christian, Ms..But I have not lived there since the hurricane (I have a roof, 2x4, and some trees are left). But My children and us have not sleep, a night in my little house that I loved some much since the hurricane). I am lossing hope and my mind. Live in Georgia is hard. We are paying rent (ga) and paying the mortgage still in "THE PASS". The bills are piling up, creditors are calling. We are both working full time jobs. One of us is not getting any sleep pulling a 2nd full time job. And still is not enough money. But the hardest has been, has been this last friday (Sept 17). One of our kids had a birthday, but there was no cake, icecream or friends to share it with, there was no money to do it with. One of kids (10 yrs is special ed.. she wets the bed at night, and it has gotten worst since the storm, and all she does is ask about her friend, that played with at school in Pass Christian. Then came Sun morning 4am, my little girl awoke from a nightmare, screaming that ga was bad to her and she want to come home. Where is home anymore. I dont know. I feel lost. And no one understands. And no one cares about us (katrina survivors). Even a social worker sent a pamplet for us to file out about what it has been like one year later (they have 17,000,000 to talk to us survivors) But she asked what part of New Orleans, La. We were from, we told her Pass Christian, Ms... She said, i did not know that you got hit by the storm..ANd she was down in Chamette, La for 6 months... How can they understand, they have not gone thru hell like all of us..
Ross Family, pass christian, ms (Sent Sep 19, 2006 4:37:45 PM)
Ross Family,......Shoot all I can say is May blessings be with ya'll.....cause I don't know what else to say!.......Da** they still only think it only hit N.O. The thugs are thuggin' somewhere else and good people having such a hard time. All I can say is VOTE!
andy,ms (Sent Sep 19, 2006 9:19:13 PM)
Ross family, Come home. Businesses are begging for workers. Finding a job shouldn't be hard. The schools are open. Still in trailers, but still hit Level 5 again this year. The kids will be back with at least some of their friends and getting the best education around. FEMA trailers are no fun to live in, but it can be done and if you haven't applied for the MS Home Help grants, do it in a hurry! One of the apartment complexes in town is hoping to have some of their units repaired and ready to rent in 4-6 weeks. They are taking applications now. I don't know if you have been aware of all the things that are going on in our little town, but we even have a small weekly newspaper of our own now, thanks to a wonderful volunteer. You can see it at www.gazebogazette.com. So, come home. Having been dislocated myself, I totally understand how people elsewhere treat you. Here, at least you are surrounded by people in the very same boat!
danelle, pass christian (Sent Sep 25, 2006 11:38:37 AM)
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