Rebuilding lives

**tbs727** · 09-04-2005, 10:17 AM

I spent all day yesterday helping get the hurricane survivors settled in to there new places at the retreat centers where I work. Some of their stories just made me want to sit down and cry for them. One man that is staying with us has lost contact with his entire family in MS. He was on his way down there from working in MI when the Hurricane hit so he only made it as far as Tulsa. He isn't going home because he has nothing to go home to, he's just hoping he can find his family again.

There were a few breakdowns last night before bedtime. I think reality is starting to set in for these people and we were told to expect more emotional breakdowns in the coming days.

The reality hit me this morning about the survivor's situation. They are here in NW Arkansas, after spending their entire lives in the middle of the big city. They have no homes, all they have is what they could pack. In many cases they had no clothes or shoes besides what they were wearing. Most of them plan to rebuild their lives here. They will all eventually find jobs and move out into places of their own. The pregnant ladies will give birth here. I bet they never thought they would be having their babies in another state. They will (and already have) become a permanent part of our community. They ended up here because that's where the bus took them. They had no choice, no control over where they rebuild their lives. I just cannot imagine.

God Bless these people for their strength, I do not think I could be that brave.

**PrairieRose** · 09-04-2005, 10:52 AM

It's truly heart wrenching to imagine it, let alone be living it. The stories of families being lost and watching family member(s) drown are the worst. Surely soon there will be a central websight or something where people can post their where abouts and ask for info on their family members.

**Dixie** · 09-04-2005, 01:05 PM

It's so heartbreaking. My dsil (from Bay St.Louis MS) is still awaiting word on her 2 grandchildren. She said her other dd has posted a message on a Red Cross message board, seeking info on them. Dsil and her dh have lost everything, except just a few sentimental things they managed to pack as they were leaving.

**Mom23boys** · 09-04-2005, 05:16 PM

I know this has to be taking an emotional toll on these people and families. They are in unfamiliar surroundings and are having to start their lives from scratch.

There was a lady in front on me in line today at CVS who said she was from LA. She was able to get out with her family before the storm hit. She is staying with family in the area.