HopeForYourFamily

I am struck with the great irony of this post as I offer some positive guidance to families who, like my own, have been thrown off track by the wind and rain of Hurricane Gustav - most of whom don’t have electricity or internet access yet, and so cannot read this post today when they may need it most.  Well, for those of you who do find this post, and who really need some encouragement for your self and your family - know that you are in my prayers and hopes.  Following these links are some basic tips to help you and your family keep your sanity and remain as hopeful as possible during this extended time of uncertainty, recovery, and stifling muggy heat:

National Child Traumatic Stress Network: Hurricane Tools and Links

U.S. Dept of Health and Human Services: Hurricane Gustav

Managing Traumatic Stress: Tips for Recovering from Natural Disasters

Resilience: After a Hurricane

Managing Traumatic Stress: Dealing with Hurricanes from Afar

1. Get your rest.  I know it is hard to sleep in a house without electricity in this early September heat of South Louisiana.  (more…)

Open letter to CNN, FOX, MSN, and the gang (might as well throw in President Bush while we’re at it):

I care deeply about the people of New Orleans.  I was here in Baton Rouge to do what I could for those who came our way three years ago when Katrina ravaged their beautiful city.  And I know they were hit by Gustav, and have their struggles.  But I’ve got news for the news media…

Louisiana is more than New Orleans.  I guess Houma, Morgan City, Baton Rouge, and the rest of the cities and towns in our great state that got hit much harder than New Orleans by Hurricane Gustav just aren’t as interesting or important as The Big Easy.  I have always striven to make my website/blog a positive place, so I will keep this brief.  Maybe if the hardcore “treehuggers” (don’t get me wrong - I am an active environmentalist) realize how many beautiful centuries-old trees have been totally ravaged around here, the news outlets will find a story sensational enough to run.  In the meantime, we’ll be hoping and praying the power crews make us a higher priority than the news crews.

From Baton Rouge with loved ones from Houma, Morgan City, and West Monroe,
Roger

p.s. - For some real news coverage about the impact, aftermath, and struggle to recover from Hurricane Gustav, I recommend www.wafb.com

p.p.s. - I got a good reminder from a blogger today that Gustav victims is a much farther-reaching group than Louisianians, and that folks in Cuba, Haiti, and Jamaica were hit harder than we were, and many of those folks have far fewer available resources to rebuild.  Thanks for the perspective check on my perspective check!

First of all, I want to thank everyone for your prayers on behalf of those of us who live in the path of Hurricane Gustav.  I am extremely grateful to report that all of us in my family are doing fine, and our home was not damaged.  It seems our neighborhood fared much better than many others in Baton Rouge.  For those of you who don’t live in the area - I don’t know what you are seeing or hearing on the news coverage, but Baton Rouge is a wreck right now.  Please keep praying for us.  It seems the biggest, most pressing need for the city and the state right now is power restoration.  While there were obviously tremendous unique challenges in post-Katrina New Orleans, the current challenge of restoring power to East Baton Rouge Parish and the rest of South Louisiana is unprecedented.  Please pray for everyone involved in these efforts, along with all who have lost loved ones, homes, etc.

On a more reflective note, I must say it has been interesting going through all of this with a four year old boy around.  My son’s perspective has been quite interesting for me to experience throughout the storm and its aftermath.  Some things that I just take in stride have been very challenging and stressful for him.  At the same time, he has the ability to splash in the puddles and climb in the trees while the streets are lined with bewildered folks trying to assess and clear out the damage.  What he is teaching me is that there is a time to cry out in misery and frustration and just honestly express how awful you feel about life, and there is a time to stop looking at the problems and challenges and just play and dance and sing.  Thanks for the Ecclesiastes reminder, son.

More soon (including pictures),

Roger