The anniversary of the Hurricane Katrina
tragedy was August 29th, marking two long years for Louisiana and
Mississippi to recover. They are still in this recovery process to
this day.
All of you who read my column know of my dear
friend Cajun Pam who lives in Louisiana. We met on the internet when
I complimented her about a poem that she had written about a
lighthouse. Her poem related that we are all lighthouses for God,
shining our lights for each other.
I call her Cajun Pam, she calls me Miss Sugar
and we’ve known each other for over four years. I visited her a
couple of years ago and shared with you the allure and fascination
of Louisiana in my article. While in Louisiana, Pam, several friends
and I went to a restaurant and ate outside on a huge deck. The night
was perfect with a soft, warm breeze. Pam pointed over yonder and I
looked up. There was a huge lighthouse. That was the connection that
began our friendship about her lighthouse poem.
When Katrina struck two years ago I was in
Mexico and experienced the fierce winds as they headed for
Louisiana. The headlines of the newspaper in Mexico said that
everyone was to evacuate Louisiana immediately.
Pam and I remained connected throughout this
time with the use of her cell phone. She and her family and friends
had all evacuated to Georgia. Pam shared with me first hand what
they were all experiencing.
This year hurricane Dean was doing the damage
and missed Louisiana. Pam called the other night to share with me
what they were experiencing. We said we would talk for only ten
minutes. We talked for an hour and a half. Pam told me that many
people were full of anxiety for what may happen if hurricane Dean
entered Louisiana. Fortunately for them it didn’t. She told me that
there is still a lost look in peoples eyes as they go about their
days. She told me that the lighthouse where we had dinner that night
had been damaged from Katrina and they were planning to restore it
as the funds come in. She said that many doctors have left Louisiana
because there aren't enough hospitals available for them to
practice. More need to be built to accommodate those in need. Houses
are for sale everywhere and can’t be sold. Cajun Pam told me that it
didn’t get the best of her. She just has a different outlook since
Katrina. Everyone she talks to says that they have changed since
Katrina. Pam feels blessed to have what she has. She told me she was
painting her house red so everyone can see it.
She ordered big rocks to place near her house
and near the water. She lives on the bayou. When the man came to
deliver the rocks he was surprised that she was hauling them all by
herself and placing them around her property. He told her that the
area he was from was totally demolished, his whole neighborhood was
gone. There were nine families of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews,
sisters, brothers, mothers, fathers and cousins living in the same
area. They all had their own homes and would visit each other all
the time. Now, everything was gone. He told Pam that that was home
to them. They want to rebuild in the same area and live like they
used to live. They were all happy and close together but now they
are separated and living in different areas until funding can become
available for them to be together again.
I asked Pam about the little white church that
I’d seen while visiting. She told me that it hadn’t been damaged too
much and that there had been a new roof put on it since Katrina’s
damage. I loved this little church because it looked like an old
fashioned Southern church. It was white with a black pitch roof and
was built in the 50s. It had a garden along the side with a couple
rows of vegetables. Colorful flowers surrounded the church and
wrapped around to the front doors. Pam told me that she would often
drive by and see people walking from the parking lot to the little
church all dressed up in their Sunday best.
Pam expressed to me that she feels a sense of
loss and brokenness. Then she said that she just takes another long,
deep breath and goes forward with a smile.
These people were tossed around by the storm
of life and yet were rooted to the earth that they love so dearly.
These were their homes, their families, friends and businesses.
Their roots are here and many are staying and rebuilding. While
others were overwhelmed and have left.
You can spend your whole life building
something from nothing
One storm can come
and blow it all away,
Build it anyway!
Early the next morning I received a call from Pam. She told me I was
the first one she called. It was her birthday.
She was excited as she reminded me of how she calls me ‘Sugar’ and
how a song that has been rolling around in her head since our phone
conversation last night reminded her of me. She sang it to me.
A spoonful of sugar
helps the medicine go down
the medicine go down
the medicine go down
Just a spoonful of sugar
helps the medicine go down.
Then she expressed what she meant by that. She told me that when I
called last night to say I cared it was like shining a little light
of love her way, like a lighthouse.
Pam said that talking with me
throughout this whole time from another state (MI) shows that
someone really cares. She also said, “When people genuinely care
from around the country and share in thought, prayer, in spirit and
from the heart, it gives her and all the people in Louisiana the
strength and courage to go on.” She said that the Sugar is the love
that helps the medicine go down.
I happened to catch a small portion
of the Today Show where they interviewed Brad Pitt. He is connected
with Global Green.
www.globalgreen.org
“I’m so happy that this dream is going to
become reality,” said Brad. “Today we are one small step closer to a
future of smart design and a rebuilt New Orleans. We hope this
project points the way to that future.” Global Green is working
toward efficient, healthy and affordable home building that will
strengthen entire neighborhoods.
I've been in touch with the CEO of United Way
in New Orleans. Marguerite told me of the many benefits that their
organization provide for the emotional, physical and monetary needs
of the people who have been affected by Katrina. She said there is
an address that anyone can donate to help those that are still
hurting from the affects of this disaster. United Way for the
greater New Orleans area 2515 Canal St. New Orleans, LA 70119, Attn:
donation. Marguerite also told me, “The whole country
carried us on their shoulders.” She said that people from every
state have come forth to help to clean up and rebuild Louisiana.
When you dig another out of their troubles,
you find a place to bury your own.
