2nd installment -RV Living and the fate of others
The Jackson, MS technicians traded their new software to the store in Florida for one of the older versions. They would call me on my cell phone when it actually arrived at their store. We would then figure out where to mail it.
Our destination was Gonzales, LA which is about 40 or so miles northwest of New Orleans. There was damage of trees and buildings as we traveled along, but nothing as alarming as what we had seen on TV. Before moving to New Orleans, we had lived in Kansas for many years. I had seen the destruction that tornadoes can bring and for the most part that is what it looked like. However, deep down I knew it was only a tiny fraction of what really was ahead in the river parishes and at home. Home, what would we find whenever it was that we would be allowed to go see it?
We arrived at the Lamar-Dixon Expo Center and it was quite disorienting because all of the trailers looked alike. After locating the rental office (another RV) we were given the keys and then had a quick class on RV safety, how to flush and sanitize the toilet and how to light the stove. I think I was on auto pilot and for the first time in my life, just living in the moment. Thinking too far ahead caused uneasiness and thinking about how things were before the hurricane - useless. What I did know for sure was that we had so much to be grateful for and no matter what I returned home to, I would not complain.
My days were interesting while my husband was at work. For the first time in years, my daily routine was aborted. I discovered that my cell phone worked only inside one corner of the RV sometimes. There was a sense of desperation and anxiety that was pervasive at the Expo but it was easy to strike up a conversation with others.
The Expo Center was also home to all of the evacuated animals. The animals, while very noisy at night, provided many of us a diversion. I suddenly knew for myself what I had always known to be true for my residents in the nursing home; there is a benefit to pet therapy. It was also another reminder how much kindness was concentrated in that area. Daily different ASPCA trucks and trailers from all over country came and went bringing supplies, volunteers and taking animals that were to be adopted. Even the folks from The Animal Planet showed up. I am sure the animals must have wonder what had happened to their prior life but seemed grateful for the attention of the children who also could not grasp the enormity of it all either.
I finally got a call from the Jackson, MS store that they had my wireless air card and wanted to know where to send it. There were no post office boxes available for miles to rent because everyone had the same idea. However, I was able to get it delivered to an office in Baton Rouge as long as I was there when it was delivered.
I had been going to the library in Baton Rouge to get on the Internet. We were only allowed on a few minutes so that everybody could get a turn. But there were some joyful moments. Some people had never tried to use the Internet before. The library staff were overwhelmed so I helped people locate their homes on the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration website or post communications on NOLA.com to check the forums set up to facilitate communicating with family members and neighborhoods. Helping did not seem like a lot to me, but it was for those who needed assistance. It reminded me again, how often simple acts of kindness can change someone’s day.
The FedEx package arrived with the air card and it felt like I had won the lottery. But I discovered that being able to get a signal was difficult at the Expo Center. Just about everyone was having a hard time getting a signal. It was also that way in Baton Rouge because there was such an influx of people into the area using cell phones. Often all you would get was the “all circuits are busy” recording.
I was up one morning doing the daily ice run. Finding ice required great diligence and required engaging in the “early bird” system. My phone rang while I was driving. I pulled over into this little parking lot in a strip mall and was able to answer and talk free of static. That parking lot became the site of my new office for approximately 2-3 hours daily. Our daughter decided to text message us and we found this worked all the time. I hate to admit but I had never learned how to use that feature on my phone because I was never motivated to do so before. Instead of being another technological task, it was now pure joy because it allowed me access to my daughter!
They began to announce on the radio that resident’s who lived on the West Bank in Orleans Parish could return but there was a curfew and you would need proper identification to get in. Hallelujah! I was so anxious to get back and find out what happened to our home and surrounding area. I had been able to communicate with some of our neighbors scattered about the country and finally two neighbors who opted to stay during the hurricane and learned that we did not have flooding in our area and levees around the west bank of the Mississippi were holding. There was extensive damage in the neighborhood but all of the houses were still standing on our court. However, my husband was extremely busy and it would several days before we could travel there to see for ourselves.
Lesson: Do not be afraid of change when it presents itself. We are all much more adaptable and resourceful than we imagine. Joy can show up in the most stressful and uncertain times when you least expect it.
To be continued - Homeward bound
