A Pause
August 30th, 2008 by Kateastrophe
I am not writing a Soap Opera Sunday this weekend because . . . see, my sister Meagan and her husband Lucas live in New Orleans. The city that has barely started recovering from Katrina and is now bracing for Gustav, which, at the moment is a CATEGORY 5 HURRICANE. Katrina was a Category 3. Yeah. And here’s the kicker . . . they’re not leaving. They can’t leave. They work at the hospital and had to sign a contract that they would be available to work during natural disasters. Just for the record, I think my sister, her husband and all the people who have stayed behind to care for and protect the city the best they can, are heroes. I’d have been on a plane a week ago.
Despite how scary this sounds, they are lucky. The hospital is the safest place to be during a hurricane. It will most likely not lose power. There will be plenty of food. It will be heavily guarded. During Katrina this particular hospital sustianed no major damage. It’s a veritable fortress. They will be physically safe.
However, they will still be in the city for what might be a worse storm than Katrina. They will see the horror first-hand as they care for the sick and injured. If the storm keeps it’s current path, their home may not make it. Their physical belongings may not survive. None of it is going to be easy for them or for the city.
I know Megs and Luke will be safe and no harm will come to them. My faith in that statement is stronger than I can describe — but that doesn’t mean I’m not scared. I’m scared for the future of New Orleans, a city I fell madly in love with on my first visit in January. I’m scared for the people who won’t be protected within the walls of the hospital. I’m scared of many things.
During a week where the blogging world has shown just how supportive they can all be (I am seriously blown away by the support being shown for Stephanie and Christian Nielson ) I just ask for your prayers for New Orleans. The storm is a couple of days out and it may diffuse itself, but if not, it could be worse than Katrina. I firmly believe our prayers will help, even if in unseen ways. I know my sister will feel them and be grateful.
** ETA: My sister? She’s hilarious . . . and looking at the bright side. Check her out her post about the upside of being stuck in a level 5 hurricane here. There are pictures with captions. Funny captions. Beware the grammar, oh beware. But prepare to laugh.
- Posted in In all Seriousness, Fam-Damily
August 30th, 2008 at 4:35 pm
Wow - so sorry your sister is there. I have been watching the track of the storm with horror. I loved New Orleans when I visited there about 12 years ago it was such a fabulous city. I worry that if Gustav hits as a Category 5 that the city that is just struggling back to life may not survive this time and it makes me sad and scared for the people who live there.
I will think of your sister and her husband especially when I pray for New Orleans to be spared.
August 30th, 2008 at 5:14 pm
She awesome for staying. My husband and I both work in hospitals too but there are plenty of people that I work with who would leave anyway.
Good luck to her and to you.
August 30th, 2008 at 7:41 pm
I say it’s time to ditch the city. Honestly, how many hurricanes can someone WANT to withstand…
August 30th, 2008 at 8:05 pm
thanks for the blogg katy, and thanks for the prayers… and i don’t think that it is really a question of wanting it… i think some people don’t have anywhere else to go or the money to get there… and its not some people its A LOT of people
August 30th, 2008 at 8:12 pm
Oh Hlannis, I think you have to go there to understand. I thought the same thing until I saw it with my own eyes. That city is amazing beyond words to describe. It’s worth saving. I truly feel it is.
August 31st, 2008 at 6:37 am
So well said. And yes, they’re heroes, they really are. Thank you for sharing this.
August 31st, 2008 at 9:01 am
Honestly? If anyone can survive a hurricane with flying colors it’s your sister. Is it wrong that I’m not even worried about her? You said it - she will be safe. I know that there are other things that are making you worry (totally understandable, you’re protective like that and she’s your SISTER, for Heaven’s sake), but I really believe that she will fine - no matter what happens. I will continue to keep her and her family in my prayers - and YOU! Love you so much.
August 31st, 2008 at 11:24 am
I’ll pray for them and all their friends….for those who might not find themselves in a safe shelter.
August 31st, 2008 at 5:21 pm
I was to New Orleans twice before Katrina. The city was amazing. I know with energy like that, it will rise again. My prayers will definitely be with Meg and her husband. I have a great deal of respect for them. It takes a tremendous amount of strength to stay.
September 1st, 2008 at 9:55 am
I’m from Louisiana although I’ve been gone a long time. My family that’s still there is mostly safe in Baton Rouge and I’ve been thinking about and praying for yours. I was relieved to see as I’ve followed the news reports this morning that the storm seems to be less severe than everyone feared. I’ll continue to keep them in my prayers.