And just when you thought the tears would stop...

Thursday night I had a flashback. It was 1982. It was a time when music and art were the things we were fighting for... and living for...all to a New Orleans backbeat. I remembered the names and faces of the people who were part of my circle of cohorts as well as the nameless faces of those who inspired me to be better...to do more... to be more p r e s e n t. It was very healing.

I felt inspired to email one of these cohorts over the weekend and check in with him. His family escaped Katrina with their car and the clothes on their back. He is still working to rebuild Pass Christian, MS while is wife and children live in Alabama... waiting for what? The Pass (as the locals call it) will not be the place he wanted to raise his children ever again - but if it ever recovers it will take until his kids are in college or have children of their own. It must be tough for people down there to shed anymore tears - even for those who lost loved ones on 9/11/01 - when they are still mourning the loss of family, friends and homes.

Its all just too much. Our youngest cat Flannery jumped on the bed (a rare thing since this is not her domain). She curls up next to me as I remember that morning five years ago... I was numb... and then my mourning for New Orleans and the gulfcoast one year ago. Today I am inspired by how those who have lived those experiences first hand have the stregth and the faith to work rebuilding their lives.

Mixed with this inspiration is the sense of shame I feel everytime I think of the lies and deceptions broadcast by our goverment. Perhaps I am more sensitive to this because I've spent so much time as an expatriot. Its not easy. Click on the link above for a small sample of the things that some across my desktop... it is just pathetic.