Thank You
I am overwhelmed (but not surprised) by the loving concern and generosity expressed here for me and my family and the needs of our community in support of the victims of Katrina.
From a family perspective, we continue to do very well, despite some “cabin fever” issues the kids are experiencing. My feminist daughter finds me too overprotective so we have made some compromises that we can both live with. Regardless, they cannot go too far since gas is still (actually increasingly) hard to find. The good news is that my son was contacted by an old Auburn fraternity brother of his who will be here early next week to offer both son and daughter a crash training course. He is an independent insurance adjuster and as one might surmise, he desperately needs agents and will for some time.
We as a community get better by the day in learning how to cope with this unprecedented tragedy and despite continuing death and devastation, we are making gains on getting our arms around this bear. For example, in my workplace (responsible for state telecommunications) yesterday we received, activated/tested, and delivered 1,200 satellite telephones to the state Office of Emergency Prepardness (OEP) to distribution to officials in need of them in the New Orleans area. It was without a doubt the most satisfying day of work in my life for obvious reasons. I choose to leave the finger-pointing and blame game to those who apparently have something to hide or something to gain. Instead, I choose to continue to focus on the here and now and what needs to be done…day by day and minute by minute for the sake of progress.
My message here though is a most sincere and appreciative “thank you” to all of you who have stepped forth with your contributions and all efforts on our behalf. Understandably so, some have expressed interest in providing support in a more targeted manner to realize a direct impact. Below I have provided two links which may enable that:
http://www.katrina.louisiana.gov/index.htm
Again, thank you all so very much for your support and contributions – both past and future.
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I have to admit that I’m angry that our country, in disaster mode, looked much less qualified to handle this than any third world country. In this responses were slow and people died as a result. I believe we could have done better and we must learn from this and do better for the next one, because there will surely be a next one. Continued prayers from California.
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Slowly we will transition our thoughts from those being rescued, to what it is like for those who must now live in new surroundings, under one roof with friends or family they usually don’t live with. My parents are grateful to be staying with my sister, but I know eventually there will be a strain. My sister & family are living in someone’s pool house in Baton Rouge – grateful but crowded!
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I am having a problem dealing with the “angry at my country” bits – angry at my government. That hurts. I want to focus on rescue and recovery. Let’s dig in and make this happen. Let’s get creative about how to give these people their lives back. Let’s call on the private sector to rebuild with compassion. SOOO much good can come of this – if we want it too.
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I’m so glad your family is safe. It’s so good to read about hope here. You definitely have my over-active child on your side (she plans to continue fund-raising when she gets back here from her dad’s. Ah. Tween energy!). I wish you the best and I hope all the strains you are currently experiencing last for as short a time as possible.
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Those fraternity brothers are the best. I’m sure both your children will recover, both emotionally and financially, more quickly with jobs, particularly ones that will help so many victims. Nice work yesterday, Babe. Continuing to send up prayers for you, yours and everyone in the Gulf Coast area. LWM 143
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i think we should make it a priority to clean things up first and get back to normalcy and then if necessary lay blame. but, take care of those people who are now homeless and need help first and foremost. glad you and your family are all okay. take care,
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My cousin is there now with a legion of firefighters from Phx. Thinking all of his disaster training w/ 911 and now NOLA will prepare him for something here. Love to you and yours, J. Thank you for posting the local information of where we can send money. I want to make sure everything else I contribute will go directly to the heart of the support effort. Love,
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RYN: Thanks!!!
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My almost 21yr. old daughter is joining the american red cross in a week or two to volunteer her time in New Orleans. Should she get in touch with you, or at least have your phone numbers? She’s quite idealistic and niave..maybe a bad combination…scares me a bit.
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Just one day and everything changes. Glad you are sharing your experience with us.
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Taking action and making a living will, I hope be theraputic for your kids, and your part in this opens communication lines that are so necessary. Thanks for sharing this from your personal perspective. Prayers continue for our Gulf Coast neighbors…..
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I’ve thought about you often during the past 6 days, and hoped you and your family were well. I’m so sorry that the city (cities) you love so well are in such ruin. Thoughts, prayers, and good wishes to you, my dear.
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Thank YOU. Glad you and yours are safe and fighting the good fight.
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dear Phaedrus, thank-you for this report…putting the boards up, taking the boards down, it is the way of life this time of year for us Gulfers in FL. Dealing with the here and now..I like that..your entries and links are appreciated.
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So glad to read that you and your family are doing well. I agree that the focus now has to be on helping the victims first and then rebuilding. Thank-you for posting the sites …
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Thank you for the links. I’ll use them. Jim and I send our prayers for you and your loved ones.
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Thank you for sharing here and reminding so many of us that there is much to be done and that there are lots of people in there doing. Thank you especially for listening to the old man and passing his story on.
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I think it was a good choice for the company, make one large donation or take care of two families. It’s just a sophies choice to decide which ones. Still…cuts through all kinds of red tape very quickly with that kind of money.
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May good news continue to grow exponentially. Strength to the spirits of all who are suffering there.
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Thank you for stopping by and noting. Your diary is a strong testament to the strength and perseverance that people have and call upon in awful times. Please know that we send our prayers and all the help we can.
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Thinking of you and yours and sending up prayers. You’re my kind of American. LWM 143
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Love and strength to all of you. Thinking of you often…
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Just adding my name here – prayers constant and as much money as I can manage is on the way.
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i think if more people adopted the “here and now” attitude that you have, we’d all be in a much better place. glad things are getting better. *hugs*
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Glad you and your family are OK, Phaedrus. I have thought of you so often during this difficult time. Last night we collected $1100 amongst friends at a small gathering to be sent to the people who have been evacuated to our state here on the Left Coast. I hope you will continue to write and tell us what is happening. All best wishes,
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Ryn: he he he!!! You are not a tool man???/How un macho!!but, every little bit helps!! That’s like saying, “help is on the way.” I love it!
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Thinking of you and praying for the folks in your neck o’ the woods.
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Sorry, Jim.
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Anything you need, just call. I feel so helpless, being here, in my situation and only being able to send a donation. You are all in my prayers. Love you!
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ryn: “old town” is old sac…the part of downtown that is west of I-5…old shops and railroad museums and wooden sidewalks…
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I have been thinking about you a lot lately, but haven’t been able to get access or time to write. I’m so glad you and yours are ok and together. Sory to read of your kids personal property and belongings loss. Yes, it is hard to watch on tv. I try not to. I know a lot of good people and there trying to help. The negative stuff is just too hard to watch. Take care,
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ryn: But he was following from behind so I just assumed….
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Ryn: Ah,,well then, if you are a biker, you would know!
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