Hurricane Aid

Here we sit. Months after the disaster. Still trying to put together the pieces of our lives. Often overwhelmed. Frequently teary eyed. Sometimes feeling all alone. And then someone, somewhere, reaches out to touch us. Virtual strangers doing more to help us than some flesh and blood kin care to do. And we are most grateful. For their kindness. Their generosity. Their selflessness.

Despite the complaints one hears or reads about the Red Cross, I have to state that they are really going all out - still- to support the Hurricane victims – at least as far as I have seen. And their help is truly needed.

Both last weekend, and the weekend prior, we stopped at an American Red Cross distribution center in New Orleans to pick up some blue tarps for our roof. And both times we were fed and watered. With volunteer workers going out of their way to make sure even ~K~, especially ~K~, was taken care of. We were also given clothing, food, cleaning supplies, toilet paper, a mop, bucket and broom…. The basic necessities. Things we need to take care of our damaged homes and belongings and things that are not readily available to people in the city. At least not where we live lived.

In our neighborhood (and beyond), nothing is open. NOTHING. Not a thing. And while we try to bring the necessary supplies with us – we sometimes forget. Running down to the corner store isn’t an option either. Nor can we cook at home. Hot meals and MREs are most welcomed after a long day of cleaning and sorting.

If you have donated to the American Red Cross for the Hurricane Victims or have been thinking of doing so, then please know, and rest assured, we recipients of your donations are truly and eternally grateful.

Similarly, our family has been touched by its extended fandom family through something called Operation Mail Drop. My folks, ~K~, and I have been blessed to have friends who thought so much about us to include us on the list. Thanks Diane, Deborra, and our most generous and anonymous benefactors. We've been surprised, thrilled and quite touched by your donations to our family.

I'd also like to thank the group from Pennsylvania who loaded up that 18 wheeler and drove down here with the clothes, books, household items and most importantly, at least to us, the Christmas decorations. We now feel fortunate to have at least a little something for the approaching holiday season.

I have talked with some folks who immediately after the storm(s) tried to donate to the hurricane victims and their generosity was refused. I'm sorry that they had that experience.

Again, here we are, months later, the disaster beginning to fade a little from the minds of people living elsewhere, carrying on with their lives as usual. And when you remember us and what we are going through we are most appreciative. We are quite moved to know people still care.

So I want you to hear it straight from the horse's mouth. YES FROM THE FRONT END OF THE ANIMAL.

THANK YOU. For your thoughts, prayers, and emotional support. For your donations of time, energy, money and physical goods. We need them. We use them. We are grateful for them. Then, still, and yet.