thank you all

Gustav has made it past the coast and will slowly dissipate in-land.

I want to thank all of you who contacted me directly, as well as the many of you who sent warm thoughts our way. My wife's family is fine, their homes are fine, and they will return to life as usual in a day or two. We were very lucky, and I could never properly explain the joy and relief we all felt last night.

After several days of worrying about what might happen, and remembering what did happen, the anxiety in all of us was quite high. We were glued to the television for most of Sunday night and Monday morning. We didn't talk much, and we tried not to dwell on things we couldn't control. At least not too much.

By mid-morning we felt pretty good about things. Our nerves were easing. We were feeling a huge sense of relief. It came pouring out in one of the most enjoyable afternoons and evenings any of us has ever had. We sang, we danced, and we embraced the night for what it turned into -- a serendipitous moment that had brought us all together.

But even though our family came out of the storm in good shape, many others have not. I fear that in all the joy of Gustav not repeating Katrina, many will forget the destruction that was caused. Over two million people evacuated Louisiana. 45,000 people in Mississippi were housed in shelters during the storm. While many of them will return to their homes as my in-laws will, some of them will not. The insurance costs will come nowhere near those of Katrina, but they will still be high.

So I simply ask that you not forget those who are feeling the brunt of Hurricane Gustav. Keep them in your thoughts. And if you feel inclined, send a little money to the American Red Cross. It can never hurt to help another in need.

Again, thank you all for your warm thoughts and wishes. They helped more than you probably realize.


~wj