From the gulf coast: A firsthand and true story

I have spent the last 2 days helping a displaced artist resettle in our community. We have provided her a small apartment on our campus for at least thru feb. When she arrived yesterday she was so grateful. i have to say, very composed, but almost shell shocked. I chalked it up to her traveling. She came to us from Bay St. Louis, by a circuitous route. Bay
St. Louis is no more.

She showed me a picture of what used to be her home. It defies description-the best I can come up with is that it looked like EVERY physical piece of her life had been thrown into a food processor. The dead cow hanging from what used to be her rafters was a startling exclamation point. There is nothing, nothing in our social experience that prepares us for dealing with
things like that. This young woman lost everything, every possession, every tool, all her artwork, everything except what she was wearing when she evac-ed and her cat. She left 2 days ahead of the storm; she knew it would be bad, but had no idea it would be the end of life as she knew it to that point. Now she is starting over, from less than scratch. And she is only one
person among thousands that have the same story.

A pair of jeans, a little shirt, a thin jacket, some warm weather shoes, a small bag of personal items- this is what she began today with. In the middle of the night it got pretty cold and started snowing here. She hasn't even seen snow since kindergarten. K and I got up and were having coffee, we looked at each other and realized she can't possibly have any winter stuff. So we gathered a coat, hats, scarves, mittens, and some warm things and took to her. And I have spent the better part of this day just trying to help her get her bearings. She has nothing here, no friends, no family, no money, no job. We drove down the mountain to our little town, I showed her the thrift shops, the grocery store, the local mechanic. I took her around the hills to some of our friends and introduced her, some donated tools, some clothes, some house utensils. Our friends don't tend to have much, but are willing to give what they can, items here and there, support, a warm dinner. After all, we have something. And getting to know her makes us realize how lucky we all are. We are morally and ethically compelled to help any way we can.

If you know anyone, or any way you can help someone from these areas, do it. Be thankful and grateful for what you have, and try to help someone rebuild their life. It is a most worthy effort.

I have a lot more to say about this, but am not able to compose my thoughts clearly right now. Reach out- your willingness to help keep someone afloat may prevent them from drowning in despair. We are all needed.