29 August 2006

One year ago today, our dear friends from New Orleans took refuge at our home in Silver Spring, MD--eyes glued to media coverage of the unfolding disaster in New Orleans. Worry written all over the faces. What about our apartment? What about our car? What about our cats? Is all our stuff ruined--or looted? Will we have any jobs to come back to? What's going to happen to our lives? What's going to happen to my city? My partner and I had no answers. We could only listen, try to make them as comfortable as possible, and hope.

After months away from their home, after all the uncertainty and trepidation, they moved back to New Orleans. So did a lot of other people. New Orleans' population is roughly half of what it was pre-Katrina. But the stories of the people who returned--some against their better judgement--trying to regain some semblance of a life is very painful to read--but very inspiring, as well. The Washington Post Sunday told the stories of some of these people. Check it out HERE.

Yes, NOLA is rebuilding. But it is painfully slow.

My partner wore black to work today to mark the sad anniversary.

I just offer these words: To New Orleans, to our friends, to all the people who had the courage to come back to their homes and build anew: To better days.