[StBernard] kitchenware giveaway

[Westley Annis]

Dear Concerned:
I usually choose to ignore such judgemental emails from my FELLOW
St.Bernardians, but I could not let this one go.
Let me start by saying this: I have made the heart-wrenching decision not to
return and rebuild.
We have jobs, and we had insurance..........but did I not lose EVERYTHING
too??  I didn't realize that only the people who were RETURNING to
St.Bernard where the victims of this disaster.
I promise you this....I did not make money on this disaster........nor come
out ahead of the game. 
And, no I did not go to the giveaway on Saturday because I felt that there
were many others less fortunate than  me who could use those items.  
Why are we so consumed with the help that someone else receives? Why are we
so critical?
I REFUSE to allow myself to get upset because we have not received any help.
Why?? Because we had insurance, so you can help yourself. 
But every one of us has to start over from scratch. Whether you rebuild, or
move elsewhere. Some are starting their houses from the ground up, some are
beginning with a shell, and some have moved to a new EMPTY house.

In order to move on, we need to stop being angry with each other. I have
moved on with my life (except for the mental part), but I go back to
St.Bernard all the time. Every meeting. I help my neighbors. (and yes, they
will always be my neighbors) I volunteer.
If more people would offer HELP instead of HURT to each other, maybe the
parish could be further along in the recovery effort.
Tracie Brown