I'm a day late. Just got busy, don't you know, and didn't get to it in time.
Forty-one years ago, I was a young mother of five little people, ages 7, 6, 4, 3, and 2. Robbie was in second grade. Sue was in first grade. Wednesday, September 2, was the first day of school. The night before, I had washed her beautiful long hair and rolled it in rags -- called papillottes in New Orleans. In the morning, her hair would brush out in gorgeous curls and she'd be all spiffy for school. Robbie would turn himself out in his long khaki pants and short sleeved khaki shirt and he also would look spiffy.
I've never known how they looked because I went to the hospital in the middle of the night and my next-door neighbor took over for the day. She told me, though, that they were beautiful and I have no doubt. Grandma and Grandpa were on a cruise in the Caribbean and wouldn't be home till Thursday, so when they came home next day, all the excitement was over because Elizabeth Ann and I were already home. When we walked into Hotel Dieu and saw the statue of Elizabeth Ann Seton, the founder of the Sisters of Mercy who ran the hospital, Daddy said, "Well, now we know what our new baby's name is: Elizabeth Ann."
That had already been my choice because for Christmas 1942, I received my last baby doll and I named her Elizabeth Ann. My mother told me later that she had walked and walked from store to store searching for a baby doll and finally found a store that had just one left, and so far as I was concerned, she was perfect.
And so too is my own live Elizabeth Ann. Happy Birthday, Sister.
Belated birthday greetings from us too, Elizabeth. I'm assuming if Aunt Ginnie is posting on the blog, she must be with you at Sue's. Hope a birthday celebration of some sort is in progress today. Let us know how everyone is holding up and what we can do to help.
Dear Nancy and all of my other wonderful and excellent and superior family and friends who have deluged this computer with inquiries --
Yes, here I am at Sue's. Scott and Phillip drove to Mandeville from Atlanta to check out the damage on Elizabeth's house, and then to Bush where Robbie, Patsy, and I weathered the storm with minor damage to some of his plants and trees. They were also under orders to bring me back with them.
And so here I am with my mind awhirl, trying to make sense of all I've seen and trying to think about what my future looks like.
Today Scott Clayton and Joey are driving to check out my house and Joey's house and business, and to see his brother who is a nurse at Jefferson Parish hospital.
Tomorrow Phillip and Christina are driving down to pick up clothing for Christina and the boys and to check on all of his relatives. The need for more clothes is due to a new announcement that Jefferson Parish will be open from Monday to Thursday; after Thursday nobody will enter or leave for four to six weeks. This is because of the lack of services available to residents and also to limit the number of looters. (Nobody is sure how this can possibly be enforced, but . . .) This is because of the lack of services available to residents and also to limit the number of looters.
Your good wishes and kind thoughts are so appreciated by us. We are all thankful everyone is in one piece and in surprisingly good spirits.
Love, Aunt Ginnie
Dear Ferrara's, this is Omar and I was just posting to say that I'm really glad to hear that everyone's doing well. I am also very interested in driving down south to the more hard hit areas to see if I can give any help. I was wondering if any of you would know a place to start if I'm looking to help. I've considered the red cross but I'm wondering if there are any other organizations I could look into. If I can't find anything I may just drive down and see if I can find anything once I'm there. Any information would be extremely appreciated. Again, I'm really glad that you've all come out of this alright.
P.S. If there is anything that any of you need from up here I would be more than happy to bring it down if I end up coming.
Omar -- I think if you called your local Red Cross or Salvation Army, they would point you in the right direction. I KNOW your help would be welcomed because it seems to me that the people who are doing all of this rescue work must be burned out. New faces with strong backs and willing hearts would be appreciated. It seems to me.
Good luck.
Aunt Ginnie
P.S. Aren't you in school?
Dear Aunt Ginnie & everyone,
We're so glad you're all OK.
Pam & I would be happy to help in any way possible; please let us know what you need, & we'll get it to you.
We're donating through church & work, but we can help directly, too.
I'll try to call Sue's perhaps a bit later, as I have some work to finish, & hopefully I'll be able to get through.
God Bless you all.
Dan