My heart is heavy
 

In our house we have pictures of Jean Lafitte Blacksmith shop and Pat Obriens.. I have pages in my scrapbook of our wonderful trip there a few years ago. We talked about going back but we had not yet.

We had the most fun, romantic and wonderful trip to New Orleans. We have been many places but this trip stands out in our minds. New Orleans, we love you.
We were mildly touched by Katrina, living in South Florida. I can not imagine what you are going through now.
To all those who can not travel there now, so sorry..this is a great place.

Amen!

We just got back from NO a few weeks ago and had the most wonderful time.

It was my fourth trip, and I had so much fun re-visiting places I had been and discovering new sights.

Any of us who know, love and admire the city are very sad tonight for the grand old lady of a town and her citizens.

I am sure aid will be swift, and giving generous.

My heart is heavy, too, robbiegirl. I've been watching the news all day (well, actually since Saturday) and I've been reduced to tears at times in seeing the devastation unfold today.

I've had my share of fun and memorable times in NOLA and it's hard to imagine the city the way it is now, but the burden of all the people on the entire Gulf Coast at this moment (especially those in NOLA) is just heartbreaking.

I think it also hit me when I saw the section of I-10 out of NOLA in shambles today, knowing my sister was sitting right there for hours just three short days ago in trying to get out while visiting. I also have a friend/in-law family member still stranded as a tourist in NOLA and have no idea what her situation is.

My prayers, sympathies and thoughts go out to all those affected. I pray that some relief comes to all very soon.

My heart is heavy as well. Just spoke of going again in November....uuuugggghhh, I feel so bad for those living there right now.

I am close to tears also...I cannot imagine the trauma that all of those in this trauma are going through. And it sounds as though it will be a long time before their lives are ever back to normal, and I don't think that anyone involved will ever feel unscathed by this horrible crises. It goes beyond belief the devastation Katrina has caused.

My daughter has a close friend who is about 70 years old. She is ethnic Italian. She has never been to Italy so she and her daughter went to Italy about 10 days ago for a 3 week vacation. This friends husband has some medical problems and so stayed homne in their house in NO.

This lady has not been able to reach her husband in NO from Italy via the phone. She does not know what the situation is, is her husband dead or alive? Did he somehow get out of NO?
She of course cannot fly immediately back from Italy to NO as all commercial flights are cancelled. Just one small sad story among I would think thousands of horrible stories. My heart is very heavy and is broken hearted for any and everyone that is part of this horrible disaster.

It's just a horror and my heart aches for all who are suffering.

The images and stories are absolutely heartbreaking. Peace be to those who are suffering such great loss.

Some of the very poorest people in the USA live in the flooded bayou areas also. I just saw a man on TV who couldn't hold on to his wife when the surge came through. What a terrible, terrible day.

Yes, it's hard to hold back the tears. New Orleans has been our favorite place to visit (6 times)in the U.S. Just read that the Quarter didn't suffer as much damage as some of the other areas - but with water continuing to rise, who knows?
Has anyone heard anything about how the Garden District has fared?

Hello JJ5, I think I saw the same man that you did. They were on their roof. He was holding onto his wifes hand and she told him to let go and to save their grandchild. She slid from his grasp and died. To heartbreaking to even understand how these dear people are keeping their sanity.

oh the tragedy!

I still remember singing with Miss Lilly at the Old LaFitte Blacksmith shop. I'm glad she didn't live to see this. She called us in SF right after the big earthquake in '88 to make certain we were ok.

May the public health remain in tact and may the sorrows ease in time.

Awful. I've felt so depressed watching the almost unbelievable tragedy unfold.

We lived there the first 7 years of our marriage. Both our kids were born in Touro Infirmary. Our first apartment on Lake Ave, Metairie was shown in some footage yesterday as it sits at the edge of a canal leading from Pontchartrain (water to the top yesterday, and I'm sure over the top today). I wonder about the house we later owned and loved in Terrytown....

Even knowing the city, it's all but unrecognizable now.

The stories unfolding are truly terrible.
I would encourage anyone who can to donate to their favorite charity. My two picks are always:
American Red Cross for human life and for anyone worried about the animal toll (pets were not allowed in most shelters)
www.bestfriends.org has a hurricane relief mission started.
I just feel so terrible for all of those poor people lost in this event. My thoughts are with the families and with poor ol' lovely New Orleans.. we spent our 3rd year wedding anniversary in the Big Easy, it's a city like no other.

Dear PamSF I just saw on CNN about 45 ninutes while the medical personnel were moving their patients to a rooftop area of their hospital in NO (do not know the name of the facility) their vehicles parked in the underground garage were being looted. I made me want to throw up and cry at the same time.

Oh PamSF, obviously I meant 45 minutes ago...must remember to use the Edit button. What a disaster, my mind can not even comrehend this tragedy not only this week but for the months to come.

I just don't understand the looters.

Are they desperate people stuck in the city who are at their wits end for food and water?

Or are they bottom feeder low lifes taking advantage of an unfortunate situation.

Being a compulsive trip planner, just last week I made reservations at La Maison Marigny for Quarter Fest next April. I wonder what the next 7-8 months will bring for New Orleans.

If you can believe the TV, it sounds as if the city has descended into total chaos.

Here's hoping they figure out a way to fix those levees.

Re: looting.

Taking food or essentials from stores is not only understandable but smart. Who knows when the next drink of fresh water will come or when the next meal will be served?

On the other hand, I saw people carrying TV's (no power sh*thead), DVD's and such. Saw people loading trucks with stuff. If they shot a few of them the rest might be the message that they are only stealing from their own community.

God Bless and save the poor souls in need.

mm

I have sympathy for the people taking food and water (the food would spoil, anyway) and even clothes, shoes, diapers, etc: in a situation this desperate, unfortunately, that may be what they have to do to survive--Jean Valjean in the 21st century.
Stealing tvs and electronics seems just plain boneheaded in places where there's no electricity and no safe place to store anything. Some of that kind of looting may be a panic response (I'm NOT advocating looting by any means, but it would make more sense to steal jewelry or something equally valuable and a lot easier to conceal and carry). I just hope no one is looting gun shops.
If I were faced with similar devastation, I hope and pray that I would not descend to stealing anything except what I absolutely needed to survive. But I really don't know what I would do in a similar situation and please God, may I never have to find out.

Looting has already occurred at pawn shops and yes, guns were taken. A New Orleans police officer was shot in the head yesterday by a looter. There is a huge difference between a looter and someone taking something to survive. Groups of people have been shown on TV looting all kinds of stores and they look like they're having a street party. It's truly disgusting. I'm sure everyone would forgive those who must have diapers, formula, etc., but taking guns, booze, electronics, etc. is nothing but criminal behavior.

I think we all can understand looting for food and water but so many of these people look like their having fun! They are smiling and giving thumbs up. I hate that some are taking advantage of such a tragedy.

We have reservations for NO for our Anniversary in November....don't think she'll be ready...

We should all step up and donate money to these poor souls. I hope other countries do the same as we have done in the recent past.

I've seen looting first hand in Chicago. It's a mindset that gets hyped by a mob action/ motivation and has nothing to do with getting survival goods. If someone was going to get water or food they do it in a totally
different manner and not on those fast runs that are being shown on tv. Also it doesn't entail breaking into casinos and trashing the slots for their cash. There is no place to spend the money now at all.

It's just another flavor of a mob scene as at a stoning or group execution. The emotion against authority and sudden relaxation of authority's power (and in this case added grief mixed with panic and a strong feeling of powerlessness against loss)
dissapates the "guilt" among many, so that individual guilt, conscience and responsibility get lost. The result is almost euphoric and very fast group runs for many goods that sometimes are found unused and discarded, horded, or destroyed in other locations.

It is an absolutely horrible thing to watch. I saw a mob pull a truck driver right out of a stalled delivery truck cab and literally kick him to death over his load of electronics. He was murdered within 3 minutes without any words spoken. It is something that has stayed with me forever, much worse than the events that actually have happened to me, myself.

Very, very rarely is looting done in singular. There are usually groups, sometimes very large up to 15 or 20 together. Speechless, but one starts and then it becomes like a type of fun race to see how much "power" can be captured.

Bad times bring out bad consequences and more misery. That's why I really, really feel for these people since it will be many, many days before the water can be reduced. Jefferson Parrish they are saying will be a month or more just because of the health issues.

I don't think they should even try to restrain the looters until there is more stable conditions or a means for authority to contain or transport offenders. It just makes more sense to deal with helping the sick, injured or others that need to be moved for survival. The Illinois National Guard was called and is sending down the entire Illinois Medical Group. They've left already.

Until the access boatwise, or roadwise, can be firmly established and the search grids organized to receiving points- there isn't much else to do but take people into homes in other areas or console/feed them.

Many people in Chicago have relatives from the South and the MS gulf coast. I know of three families that have people on the way already to come live here. It may mean that NO will lose some of its population permanently.

I don't know anyone personally in that hurricane area, but i feel badly, too.

Last night I made Zatarain's Dirty Rice for supper -- with a good dose of "Joe's Seasoning" from the New Orleans School of Cooking.

I just heard that the refugees in NO will be bussed to the Astrodome in Houston as it is no longer used for sporting events. At least they will soon have basic needs and electricity. I think JJ5 is correct that many people will end up never returning to NO. And JJ5, thank you for the insight into looting. It's difficult to understand but you did a great job explaining it.

New Orleans is one of America's greatest cities. I am also sick in the stomach watching all of the heartache that is unfolding. That city has such wonderful spirit. I feel like I am a member of "the big easy" when I'm there:)

OMG, we were just there three weeks ago! We took my 18 yo daughter and her friend. Stayed in the beautiful FQ. We could only stay one night and then had to head up to AL and Nashville. I was so happy to show the girls this unique city and huge piece of history. Now I fear it will never be the same...

These poor, poor people. How long until they can be comfortable and have a safe life again? I am sending money to Red Cross today!!!

I'm watching the news with tears in my eyes. This has got to be the worst natural disaster in our country.

This has been such a stressful week for me due to personal problems that I have become physically ill and I missed work today. But I am ashamed of myself, VERY ashamed!! I feel like a selfish butt head. My problems are so stupid and meaningless compared to the people on the Gulf coast. They have suffered a devastating loss that I have never known and hopefully never will know. I am a lot sadder for them than I am for me. God bless them and keep them.

I am proud that my state of Texas has opened it's doors and many of the evacuees will be coming here. Sadly for them, many will have to stay in Texas as they have no home to return to. I wish the circumstances were different, but I hope we can make them feel welcome and I hope they will have a good life in Texas.

My heart is heavy too. A beautiful 70 year old lady who was born in the US to parents from Italy left about one week ago to see her parents Italy for the first time in her life.

Although she and her husband could of gone to visit Italy years ago they didn't as her husband felt he could not take time away from his business.
He always told her once he was retired they would travel.

He retired and about a year later came down with a health problem. So no trips were taken.

This dear woman left for Italy with her darling daughter for a three week trip, with her husband's blessing. He did not feel up to going but should have been just fine on his own at home (personally think he just didn't like to travel).

Their home in is NO. The wife and their daughter are in Italy. She does not know if her husband evacuated as requested, whether he did not, whether he is alive, perhaps on their rooftop or if he is dead. She has not been able to contact him of course. And needless to say she cannot fly home and into NO.

I found out about this last night. Do not know what the situation is this evening.

I can only imagine the panic they are in. Actually I should say I can NOT imagine the panic they are in. Just one story out of thousands and thousands.

My heart is heavy for everyone that is part of this living h*ll. It is a nightmare. Blessings to all.

LoveItaly, please post an update as soon as you have one. I will keep your friends in my prayers.

Hello P_M, this year has seem to be full of sad and sorrowful stories. Thanks you for your thoughts, and I will. I gave my daughter the RedCross phone # that people can call to check on their loved ones. Think it is 866-GET-INFO but doubt if they would have any information at this point.

This situation for everyone, thousand and thousands of horrible stories, is a true nightmare. Hugs to you.

HOORAY for Texas and heartfelt applause to your well-spoken and compassionate Governor !

Love Italy: Your friends will be in my prayers tonight.

Our prayer lists seem to be getting longer every day.

I can't remember when I've felt this powerless to help.

Marion

LoveItaly, I will also pray for your friends.

PM, keep faith. Sending hugs your way.

Back atcha, seetheworld!! >:D<

And here's one for LoveItaly and her friends.

>:D<

It is a really awful situation. My brother has lived in Metairie for the past ten years. He evacuated himself, his wife, his step-daughter and the cat to a Texas town just outside of Shreveport. His step-daughter lives there in a 2-bedroom. I'm not sure how long they will be able to all stay in one spot w/o stomping all over each other but so far so good. Today they went to a nearby church where they were serving free lunch to all the newly arrived refugees. He sounds much better today than last night -- I think the lunch really boosted his spirits to see all the people who were there in the same boat as he.

His house was a rental so in that respect he's very lucky. But they left in a lurch taking nothing much at all with them. Give to Red Cross or Salvation Army. Many are needy.

I send my hugs to all of you...you are all such beautiful and carying people. I know that all of us are devastated by this horrendous trauma in the SE. It goes beyond anyones imagination. And it will be a nightmare for months and months. It is hard to even mentally understand.

And dear P_M, I did not see your post when I last posted, I think we were typing at the same time. I am so sorry that you are ill, an overload of stress will do that to you. Please, don't feel bad about yourself. I understand how you are feeling, honest I do, as I am not 100% physically alright in this moment due to the stress of the past months. And I too feel like an a**, as I too know what I have been stressed out about is nothing, and I do mean nothing, compared to our dear neighbors in the SE. But dear one, that does not take away from the stress you have been through. May I share a comment a dear priest said once. It is this "you can be standing next to someone dying of brain cancer but if at that moment you have a terrible migrane headache that is where your pain is". P_M, be gentle with yourself, please.

My prayers, blessings and best wishes to everyone regardless of where you live or what you are going through. May we all work through this terrible time together. Peace!

This is a time to look out for one another. Watch and read the news, but not too much. Don't overload yourself with information. Keep this suffering in mind, and contribute what you can. We saw tremendous generosity in this country after 9/11. We can respond the same way after Hurricane Katrina. Take care, everyone.

Hi all,

I don't want any pats on the back for what I've done. The only reason I am posting it, is to try to convice others to do the same.

My husband and I were planning to spend Labor Day Weekend in NOLA. We obviously cancelled our plans. With the money we saved for this vacation we were going to go somewhere else. Instead we donated this money to the Red Cross (www.redcross.org) to help the victims of the hurricaine.

We have been to NOLA several times and always had a wonderful time, so we figured that we owed something to our favorite city at the time they need it the most.