Quote that I feel is fitting of the disaster of Katrina and the efforts to recover

"Whenever evil befalls us, we ought to ask ourselves, after the first suffering, how we can turn it into good. So shall we take occasion, from one bitter root, to raise perhaps many flowers." Leigh Hunt (1784 - 1859) When I read this I think about the horrible disaster and I also think of all of our brothers and sisters out here that want to unite to help one another. Let US be seeds and help all become flowers. Beth G

How completely appropriate Beth! I may even borrow this quote as I start organizing my companie's fund raising efforts. We lost our branch in Biloxi and several of the employees there lost everything. As bad as I THINK my petty life problems are, I have certainly been reminded in the past week that I REALLY have NO problems compared to those affected by this tragedy. I'm going to be thankful today for my life and it's blessings. Thanks for sharing these beautiful words with us this morning Kim

Hey Kim, You are very welcome. My son was really upset yesterday. Kids get affected by things sometimes and we don't really realize it. Jeremy heard a song on the radio that had been played on t.v. He started crying. He said that was the song that played when it showed the hurricane and people talking of having to let the hands go of loved ones to save themselves. Jeremy has always been very tender hearted. We sat in the are and cried for I know 15 or 20 minutes. I have been trying to help me son understand "Why" things like this happen. I have even been in touch with my more spiritual side. I hope I don't offend anyone here but it's made me think about my life and my religion. I'm glad you liked the quote. I really liked it to. How are you doing??????? Beth G

I can totally understand how the despair of it sneaks up on you. I think it hit me on Monday. I was sitting out by the pool....Pam discovered a great New Orleans Jazz/Zydeco music channel on the Satellite and we'd been blasting it all weekend (I'm sure the neighbors appreciated that ) I had gotten up and washed my car - feeling guilty for 'wasting water' essentially when there were people without drinking water for a week - and as I relaxed trying to read a book .....it just hit me and I just started balling. Luckily Pam knows me well enough that she didn't even have to ask what the problem was. She just held me and went and got our wedding pictures (we were married in New Orleans)....brought me my journal and a beer and let me sit there and cry and write and get it all out. After a few hours, I don't know that I felt 'better'....but I had some peace of mind. I came into work the next day and discovered that our Biloxi office was gone and they asked me to start organizing a fund raiser for the families and employees who lost everything.....so in some small way, I do get to make a difference, I guess. For that I am truly thankful and praising my God too. Congratulations to you for raising such a tender hearted son. That is truly a blessing in itself and certainly says something about his MOM Love you Honey and hope you have a great weekend kim

Beth, I just love Jeremy! He's such a sweetheart. John and Debbie loved him too, especially John! Give him a hug for us! Love you, Joni