:: Hurricanes make me homesick.::: - Kristin, Katrina evacuee, Austin, TX
I called my sister last night. We talked about the things considered normal in our family, except Hurricane Issac. We both knew that the call was a safety plan. They left New Orleans just a few months ago to begin a new life in Hammond, LA. I think she will never return to the city. Since Katrina, seven years ago, she has been practicing leaving. Last night she said, "You know, we [New Orleanians] are unique. You can meet all types of people, from all over the country, but you never fully get who they are and they don't really understand who you are. I can't tell you why we are so different, but I feel it each time I try to connect with one of my neighbors."
Though it was a point of pride and admiration in my family that I moved out-of-state, and in some ways that step encouraged my family to venture beyond the City of New Orleans and examine other realities, all of the women in my family, my Mother, MaMere, and my sister, Jerry, dealt with anxiety and depression their first year of being away from home. I didn't. I knew I could always go back home; that was until my parents moved, including uprooting my MaMere, making what I thought was an unjust and permanent decision for me, the selfish little debutant that I am!
Their move changed my relationship to New Orleans. I took my babies home every Thanksgiving to visit Jerry and her family. Unfortunately, the last house they bought, a precious shot-gun cottage on Cambrone Street just around the corner from Oak Street, couldn't accommodate us. I couldn't see myself in a hotel. That wasn't being home to me. So, I punished myself by no longer going home. You know how Catlicks love the whips and switches!
When Katrina hit, seven years ago tomorrow, I hadn't been home for a year. After Katrina, I didn't return home for another two years. When I drove in that day, meeting Kenner at 80 mph., those three years away from home had no bearing on my identity. I am and will always be a Crescent City Woman.
To all the Crescent City Women, you with your blues shaped hearts, souls the deepest shade of gold, and jazz mouths that put all Port-of-Call sailors to shame, shout it out!
Fucking Throw Me Somethin' Mister Issac!
You are prepared!
The Broad
5 comments:
We are thinking of you all over there on the other side of the Gulf and are hoping that it is not too bad for you all. Watching the water and the sunsetting over the Gulf tonight we thought of you all.
Karen in the Yucatan
Karen, that is the sweetest message of love! I'm going to make sure that when this thing is through, I bring all of the Crescent City Women meet you and spend time on our beach!
May the light and love of the angels surround New Orleans and keep her safe. May the event bring together those who have distanced themselves from one another. May it bring out the best of everyone and allow people to reflect on what is important in life and how fragile it can be.
Merilee in Michigan
Steve Earle's beautiful prayer for New Orleans.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjhegm4JiQM
We've been watching the news every day, several times during the day and holding our breath.
In January 2008 when we drove from Canada to our new house in Yucatan, we stopped in New Orleans for a few days. We toured the areas that had been destroyed and wept for what had been and what was lost. For all those homes that had holes in the roof, where people had been trapped and for those that were lost. And now we pray for the people of New Orleans and for all the areas that are experiencing yet another hurricane.
From our side of the Gulf to yours....
Joanne
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