Been There Clearing House

First let me say thank you to everyone who has extended a helping hand to all of us Katrina survivors (I never knew in my life time I would be proud of this so much.) As the anniversary of Katrina comes up I would ask everyone to please say an extra, special prayer for everyone that is still trying to recover from that storm - whether they stayed, moved or are trying to return. As the survivors try to pick up the pieces of their lives, it is a daily struggle to fight the depression and hopelessness that seems to attack you when you least expect it. I know, because while I survived and have repaired all the damage to my home (many people do not even have a home to repair) I still - one year later - have not gotten back completely on my feet and I still find times when I just want to cry.

So, if you are in another area and think people should be fine, as it has been a year(I recently had someone tell me I should quit using Katrina as an excuse,) I personally will tell you that many like me are hard working people who are doing everything they can to get back to “normal” or at least pre-Katrina normal. While some people may have milked the system, most of us are just overwhelmed and asking for human kindness and a helping hand. I still have 7 people in my home ranging in age from 54(me) to a 2 yr old. Katrina threw us for a loop and it has been one thing after another since the hurricane and, yet, I get up every day and go to work and ask God to help me make it through the day.

I still see blue roofs, trees down, and, in my case, am still trying to restock freezers that were full when Katrina hit. So, if you ever thought to judge anyone in the affected area, please take it from a survivor: Don’t, because the majority are just like me and still trying to recover. All we ask is for your prayers, and if you can help someone, do it. I promise you it will come back to you someday. If you have never watched the movie “Pay it Forward,” please do. Helping people is a circle and if you help someone today someday, someone will be there to help you.

Please take time out of your scheduled to watch some of the specials to be aired on the anniversary of Katrina, as it will show you what is still going on. Spike Lee has a documentary on New Orleans on HBO on August 29^th, along with others. Take the time to watch, and have your children watch. There is no better time to teach your children the art of giving than right now, and if you do not know who to help, this site is full of people. May god bless each and every one of you, whether you are someone helping or someone being helped. And for all the survivors of Katrina, we made it through the first year and hopefully next year will be better.
From a fellow survivor (and proud of it),
Barbara
Bgvis115@yahoo.com