Just now, I laid down literally for a two hour study nap – and woke up immediately to a message that Hurricane Ida, already a monster, has been upgraded to a Category Four with 150+ mile per hour winds and it’s nearing Category Five status. 

If you haven’t seen the news somehow, she is taking direct aim at New Orleans, on this, the anniversary of Katrina. At a time when everything is absolutely upside down with COVID and the hospitals are completely full and the hospital system is completely overrun and there is already nowhere to turn for help.

https://www.nola.com/news/hurricane/article_b231eebc-08c0-11ec-b666-5733726d7007.html

According to the mayor, because she formed so quickly, there was no time for evacuations on a large scale either – so many people are sheltered in place.

This is hell’s own scenario and I can’t find the words for how devastating this is.

I am terrified.

My NOLA.

The city I fell in love with when I was twelve or so and my daddy and I went for our first “just us” vacation and had a magical time. (Before that, my grandparents took me on all of my big trips because my daddy – a single parent – was always working SO crazy hard and couldn’t be off.) It was my place and I wanted to stay forever.

The city of my bestie and I going to a terrible art show – and having a great adventure – on a one day trip when we were just out of high school. One of those crazy things you do that sticks with you always. Just the best. 

The city where my better half and I took our first trip together many years ago – with our friends, including our Lindsey – and made some great memories. From just wandering around to visiting the French Market to taking in my first Mardi Gras parade, it was an amazing visit.

The city of our Sara Bug’s 16th birthday trip with her and our Al – where she fell in love with NOLA too. Miss Robichaux’s, Anne Rice’s House, The Museum of Death, seeing Wicked. . . We packed in a million things. It was grand.

It’s the home of my team, I bleed black and gold, it holds my heart.

As I say often, it even SMELLS right when I get there. 

Hell, the first gift I ever gave my husband when he was hospitalized and recovering from a major surgery, when we had just started dating, was Drew Brees’ book.

It’s just. . . home.

I can’t say enough about how much she – and, more importantly, her people – mean to me. ❤

I am just gutted for what is happening.

I am scared for those in and out of the hospitals. I am afraid for medical personnel. I am worried because there are no healthcare resources available anywhere.

We are looking at just unprecedented disaster – when we already had, from a healthcare standpoint, a separate unprecedented disaster.

Today, as it is school work Sunday as always in the Hippie Hut, I’ll be watching as well and praying so hard for my people.

I can’t imagine their terror. 

My heart is with you.

I hate this.

Be well, everybody. Take care of yourselves and each other.

Grace and Blessings.

 

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy! I look to You for protection. I will hide beneath the shadow of Your wings until the danger passes by. – Psalm 57:1 (NLT)