Friday, December 16, 2005

Going in a new direction


Click to see Video

Today is mine and Brad's 17th anniversary. When I woke up this morning, I realized that our lives together have taken a new direction because of Katrina. We had reached the point in our lives and marriage where we were very content. Our biggest joy in life was sitting in a couple of rocking chairs on the front porch and watching the world go by. I was staying home after working for most of my life and I loved it. Brad was always home in time for dinner and rarely had to work on weekends or holidays. When Katrina blew in, all of that changed. Some of it because we had no choice, some of it because we chose to change.

Brad has always been completely committed to his job, but I had no idea how strong that commitment was until I saw how hard he worked in Chicago. He and his co-workers worked around the clock for days on end. They would work 20 or more hours, then take a short break or a nap for one or two hours. Once Brad worked 36 hours straight before taking a few hours to sleep. They had to do it, they had to get the bank back up and running. Most people only knew that the banks were closed and then they were back open. They had no idea what a heroic effort it took to get them back up. I knew and I had decided that my small part in that would be to convince Brad that I was safe and sound here on the Coast, so he could do his job.

Later on, when I talked to my former co-worker and he told me the story of how they had lost both shops and yet the employees were working out of the backs of their vehicles, I was again very impressed. So many people that had stayed through the hurricane itself, up and left afterwards when the going really got tough. I do not blame them at all. Nobody in their right mind would stay in a place that even now, is not a great place to be. Thousands of people left the Coast for good, and the businesses that were left trying to rebuild are scrambling to find people to fill jobs. The people that did stay, the ones who went above and beyond to save the businesses and companies they work for, are heroes in my eyes.

When I was approached by my former co-worker about going back to work at my old job, I had serious reservations. I enjoyed being home and taking care of my family full time. I also felt like I really needed to be home to try to get the repairs done on the house. Yet there was this pull to be a part of the rebuilding effort. There was also this huge admiration for the people who were giving so much of themselves to save a business. I wanted to help. After talking it over with Brad, we both realized that our ties to the Coast were too strong to run away. Too strong to sit back and not help rebuild. I went back to work.

Today, 17 years after we were married, and 3 1/2 months after Katrina blew into our lives, we are starting a new phase. We, along with our 15 year old, work as a team to get everything done. My son has taken on a lot of extra responsibilities. He had to get his license and start driving to school every day in the midst of Katrina traffic. He now has the dubious pleasure of having to run to the store to wait in the Katrina lines to pick up groceries. Brad and I split up the errands and keep in constant touch by cell phone. This in itself is amazing because before the storm, Brad had always refused to carry a cell phone or even a pager. Now he always has his phone by his side so he can be reached by work, but also by family. We play tag team with contractors and take turns standing in the many lines that make up our lives.

We changed our retirement investments so they would be going into the Coast. We have changed our charity donations so they would all be going locally. We reach out to our friends and neighbors and we will never forget the ones who reached out to us. Right now, life on the Coast is not pretty. It is ugly down here. There is trash and debris and destruction all around. People are tired and short tempered. Traffic is a nightmare and there are still few options for shopping or entertainment. Having said all that, I am still committed to staying. I know it may be years before things are back to normal, and even then, normal will be different. I want to be one of the survivors though. I will wait another 20 years or so until I can get back to my front porch and my rocker, but hopefully by then, I will have some great stories to tell.

8 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

OMG, Nancy, you already have some great stories to tell. Keep telling them!

Congratulations and happy anniversary!

Karen

12:59 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Happy Anniversary. Have a great time this weekend.

2:51 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Happy Anniversary. I watched the video and wanted to ask you if that big alligator is in Gulf Shores. If that is the same one, I have seen it before. I hope you have a nice anniversary tonight. You have a good attitude about things down there.

5:06 PM  
Blogger Adrienne said...

Happy Anniversary dear! I'm so glad on this day there is a very happy thing to celebrate! Actually, two. Cole's newfound health and your amazing, amazing fortitude. Nancy, you continue to astound me and humble me. I am impressed and inspired by your attitude! I truly hope you have a wonderful weekend in NO and share the stories here. I will definitely be reading!

In my prayers always,

Adrienne

9:45 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I think it is great you are hanging in there. It will get better one day. Have a good weekend

5:56 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Took me a while to realize that was a VIDEO at the top. AMAZING JOB, Nancy!! You could market those skills!

Karen

12:40 PM  
Blogger Adrienne said...

WOW! That is just amazing!!!! The video that is. See, blonde me didn't realize that if I clicked on your picture...voila, a video. Takes me a while. Aren't you a sexy thing on that car? Oh my, and Brad as a teenager...you guys had some major hormones running didn't ya? hubba hubba! Just love your videos. You should consider a mini business in your spare (heh heh) time. I'd love you to make me one!

Love to you

7:13 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Love the Video Nancy its so touching, Late but Happy Anniversary.

4:09 PM  

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