I Need a Hug

[Adrienne]

Lol. I do. I hope this is the right board!

Many of you know or have some idea of what I've gone through to not only find my friend alive, but to locate her and offer her housing and everything. Well, I was just about to call all the shelters in the area and now I don't think I will.

I just got an email from my friend's family stating that she had spoken to one of my friend's sisters in a shelter. She doesn't know which one btw. The sister was angry that they weren't trying to find them. Now that's understandable they don't know how hard it has been to find out.

But she also said they did not want to relocate; they are planning on going back to New Orleans. Now I feel like a big doofus for setting up housing and transportation and EVERYTHING. Yes I wonder, do they KNOW what their town looks like? Do they know that it is still 40% under water? And the crime because yes, it is there? Are they really willing to stay in a shelter until such a time that it is safe to go back?

I feel like... well, the aunt said she gave my friend's sister my information. So, I still havent gotten to talk to her. Not only that, but if she isn't aware of all that's going on in New Orleans... I just well I just don't know. I guess I need to step back now. I have contacted everyone I can. Done all I could. Any more and I will be pushy and well if she's okay then that's all that counts.

But it's hard after these past two weeks. The lost sleep. The crying and worrying. Preparing resources. Constantly thinking 'What if...'. So. I'll go now and try to find some family and friends for her brother who I also found. He's in a shelter in AK and according to the contact there, he is happy to be alive and to hear [from me] that his family is okay. She said he is just the nicest person and that everyone has been so wonderful.

Ack. ;)

[jocinda]

:) {{hugs}} :)

Where some are more than happy to be living and willing to relocate just about anywhere, others will be stuck with the city of their memories and quite possibly until they see what's left of their homes, they may be in a bit of denial about the devestation - I'm sure they weren't all watching the news or monitoring updates on websites like we were.

Each side of this tradegy has a completely different view of it... to be there admist it or to be here outside of it reaching in... it's just so immensely different.

I recently adopted a family in a shelter... well, one guy actually, but this is a support system to get him personalized care packages of whatever he needs/wants... When I first contacted him, I didn't know what to send, a letter? a package? All I knew was that he was 24. So I sent a letter (the 5th one I wrote as I did not even know what to say to him at all...)... I am anxiously waiting to hear back from him, hoping he has family or friends he would like to get to and all he needs is a plane or bus ticket to get out, because that's what I think would make him happy... to get out. He may just write back and say, thanks, but I have all I need and I'm staying here for whatever reason.

It'll be interesting to watch what the survivors do... who stays, who moves on, who rebuilds, who accepts the offers and who does not.

Take care, get some rest and know that you found them, they are safe, they know each other are safe and that's the best thing to hope for in chaos :)

jocinda

[bwhitten]

{{BIG SQUISHY HUGS!!}}


;) :) :D ;) :) :D ;) :) :D

[meanjoybug5]

Heres a great big joybug hug{{{{{{ :) }}}}}}}}}}}}}

and a lil encouragement-Hun you did the best possible job-you were active not passive--my granny says---you can lead a horse to water------you brought the water to them---thats all that could be done-----hun give yourself a great big hug---you did what you would expect to be done for you if the roles were reversed!

now get yourself a great big glass of iced tea-relax---then when you feel better--role up your sleeves and dig in---i;m sure theres someone out there you can help---and thats willing to be helped.

[Adrienne]

Thank you Jacinda and Joy and Brenda. Your own stories and encouragements keep me going :)

I have a whole clan who is counting on me to find them shelter in New York now. This is the family of my friend- the friend who refuses to leave the shelters in Texas- but her family is huge and her aunt is using all the help she can get. Lucky for me, New York has a hotline setup so we shall see what that brings.

I feel better today after her aunt said nooo please help me i so need it and all. AND I got a good night's sleep- finally!

Just hope my other family takes the housing offered them. Will find out today I hope.

You guys are terrific!