I met Sheree Kanter and her husband a year after Katrina. I was doing a Katrina anniversary story and came across their name and number.
They are from New Orelans, evacuated here after Katrina, and just never went back. Sheree and I have stayed in touch since that story and become good friends. It's the whole New Orleans connection.
Right now it's about 12:15 am Monday morning. Sheree, David, 2 other families from New Orleans who evacuated Gustav and several pets are in the Kanter living room, waiting and praying. Here is Sheree's email to me:
Jen,
It feels so good hearing your voice and being in touch with you during this unbelievable once again nightmare. Who would think three years ago to the days we are reliving it all over......
My heart aches for everyone in the Big Easy and hope and pray that New Orleans will be spared another direct hit, but must prepare for the worst.
We have friends here now from New Orleans and Mandeville who drove over 12 hours to get here.
Alex said she called a Motel 6 in Bessmer and they said it would be $340 for the night.. CRAZY~~!!!!
Friday at school I wore my t-shirt Proud To Swim Home - New Orleans and today I've been wearing New Orleans - Make Levees Not War.
How lucky to we feel to be living in such a wonderful community as B'ham. The Jewish Federation and Colat Jewish Family Service has sent out emails to let us know that they are here to help anyone from New Orleans who needs assistance. Esther Schuster, at CJFS is available for you to talk to if you want. I have her cell #.
It really helps having our friends here and so glad that they are here- They emptied out their refregerators, packed their cars full, and waiting to see what happens. It's just that we've all had to evacuate at least five times- and now it seems we were so much more prepared this time.
They said the city itself prepared everyone so much better this time. Mayor Naigan is saying - if you LOOT to Angola you will go!!
Hopefully tomorrow our city will be spared, our levees will not break, and our community can go home and get back to normal.
The unknown is whats so frustrating. To think that people might not be back in their homes for a while, schools closing again for a yr is just too hard to imagine. Don't even want to go there.
Everyone is in the other room, talking now about Katrina and the aftermath. It seems like everyone is just now healed and who knows what lies ahead.
Keep in touch- see you soon.Be strong and HAVE FAITH!!
sheree
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