I just got an email from a very good friend of mine who lives in Louisiana - thankfully about 5 hours north of NO, and was spared completely. She had kin who has not been so lucky. She had an Aunt, Uncle, and cousin who lived in Gulfport, Miss - and no matter how much the family begged and pleaded with them to go to a shelter -they opted not to go - because "it just won't be that bad". Her other uncle in that area, opted to go to a shelter.
No one had heard from the aunt uncle or cousin for a few days -- the uncle who went to the shelter left the shelter today and went by the other relatives house today - there was no house -- blown clean away to the foundation... Her uncle's body was found in a tree - the aunt and cousin are still missing but not much hope is held out for them to still be alive... There are apparantly 300 or more bodies that have washed up on the beaches there...
I am heartsick for my friend, that she has not only lost her relatives, but that she did everything in her power to get them to leave... It also makes be incredibly angry that because of the obstinance of these people, that they are now dead, and are causing my friend, who is the kindest person in the world, pain she shouldn't have to experience. Had they left and gone with the other uncle - they'd still have a pretty good chance at being alive...
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Free your heart from hatred. Free your mind from worries. Live simply. Give more. Expect less.
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