People seem to be trying to return to some of their normal routines around here.  Displaced people are enrolling their children in schools here in north Louisiana and local people are trying their best to provide school supplies and clothing for these children.  Other families are already looking into how they can put the pieces of their lives back together, except in northern Louisiana towns this time.  One displaced restaurant owner is looking into opening a seafood restaurant in my town (yippee!) and a friend of mine with a home for sale said that a retired couple was looking at buying her home as soon as they get their insurance check.  They told her that they had nothing to go back for. 

New stories are beginning to be heard about extraordinary situations that are a result of Katrina.  One story that I saw on the news was of a couple who gave birth to a preemie just 2 days before Katrina.  They had to leave her in the hospital in NICU and they were evacuated.  On Friday (I think) they finally found her and were reunited with her in Texas.  I can’t imagine how painful it must have been to not know if your just days old child is alive or where she is. 

Many children have been separated from their parents during this mess.  I have heard of a lady in Texas who thought her 3 children were behind her when boarding a bus at the Superdome, only to find out that they weren’t.  She hasn’t found them yet.  Also, on in a shelter in Baton Rouge are children who were separated from their parents.  One was just 14 months old.  Due to so many people wanting to help, there are so many websites to reunite with your family, that some think that family members are posting on different sites and not finding one another. 

Another story that I found touching was of a 90-something year old man who was in a shelter last week.  A news correspondent was feeding him because he was unable to do so himself after suffering a heart attack.  Family members saw this on the news, and rushed to get him from the shelter and he is now in the care of his family. 

Conditions are starting to get better and people are slowly getting rescued.  Even Fats Domino was rescued last week.  (I thought that was interesting) But, just by hearing some of the stories from friends who are working shelters, we have a long way to go. 

Please keep my mother, who has went to Baton Rouge to work a shelter, in your prayers.  My aunt is also in Metarie working a shelter as well. 

Thanks to all of you who have contacted me to help.  I will be getting back with you as soon as I can.

Melissa