Katrina

The first I heard of Hurricane Katrina, it was a small tropical storm just South of Andy’s location in Florida. “Don’t worry.” He told me, “they’re shutting down school for the day just to make sure, but it’s no big deal.”

Less than a week later, we all know what a big deal it is. The devastation from this hurricane is massive. State officials in Louisiana and Mississippi won’t even hazard a guess as to the number of dead. New Orleans is mostly under water. Stories are being told of people swimming for their lives as the storm surge washed away their buildings in Biloxi, while their neighbors drowned in their second floor apartments next door.

I thank God every day that Andy wasn’t in the path of that storm - but what about all of those people who have lost their lifelong partners, their children, their parents and friends, not to mention property to the devastation? How am I so lucky when so many others are not?

We can offer only our prayers, and our money to the the Red Cross. If any of you have ideas beyond that for what ordinary folks can do to help - please e-mail me and we’ll get it started.