First and foremost I would like to apologize for my absence due to Hurricane Gustav.
My power was returned yesterday after almost a week after Gustav hit Baton Rouge. I am very blessed however as Baton Rouge and surrounding areas have been told it will be 2 weeks+ from now until all electricity is restored.
I do not believe much has been said about Hurricane Gustav in the media but it had a very damaging impact on Baton Rouge and surrounding areas. I could use my blog as a soap box to complain about the 9 hours+ people waited in their cars at FEMA Points of Distribution for ice, water, and MREs, or the 3 hour+ long lines to get gas, or how every traffic light was down in town and everyone missed Drivers Ed 101 when they taught how to make a 4 way stop. But complaining does not solve anything... instead you must focus on the positive aspects.
I would like to take this opportunity to talk about the 1.4 Million People who were without power, those who had trees crash into their homes and cars, those who saw water rising into their home and instead of complaining took action and stayed positive in a difficult situation. Our community has gathered together to help each other nailing tarps to our homes as the rain continued to come down, opening restaurants and cooking over gas grills with no electricty or A/C, cleaning debris in each others yards, while families sitting on their front porches with a radio in the center are grateful to have each other.
Cell phone towers wore down, Electricity was no where to be found, and Gas was scarce yet the genorosity and kindness of the southern people were still seen everywhere. One thing is true, Hurricane Gustav has taught us how to live with less.
This is one of the beautiful oak trees on the LSU Campus which I featured a couple of weeks ago-- Unfortunately many of the beautiful Live Oaks throughout Baton Rouge have been uprooted-- another example of things we take for granted.
President Bush was correct when he said, "This nation has come to know the strong and resilient spirit of the people of the Gulf Coast," Bush said. "They've made it through great challenges in the past and they're going to make it through this one, as well."
From this Louisiana and its residents will rise even stronger than they already were.
*All these pictures and more of Hurricane Gustav Damage may be found at WJBO.com.
"Our lives are not determined by what happens to us but by how we react to what happens, not by what life brings to us, but by the attitude we bring to life. A positive attitude causes a chain reaction of positive thoughts, events, and outcomes. It is a catalyst, a spark that creates extraordinary results." -Anonymous
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