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Dear Louisiana: B.J. Ciagalore Writes...(Hurricane Katrina/Rita Worries) by Karen Lynn Vidra, The Texas Tornado
Thursday, September 22, 2005
Rated "G" by the Author.
B.J. Ciagalore writes back to her concerned friend in Tennessee, to let her know that she was spared the worst of the hurricane (Hurricane Katrina) that recently struck the Gulf Coast. (There is another hurricane--Hurricane Rita--looming in the coast now at the present time; it is due to hit Galveston, Tx. in the next few days, and the results could be devastating.)
Thursday, September 22, 2005 (First Day of Fall!!), 10:17 a.m., E.D.T.~
Dear Louisiana~
Thank you so much for writing; it is so nice to hear from you! Thanks for your concern about the recent turn of events (thanks due in part to Hurricane Katrina that recently devastated the coastal cities of Biloxi/Gulfport in Missississippi, Mobile, Alabama, and especially New Orleans, Louisiana); but we managed to escape the worst of Hurricane Katrina's fury. All she left in her wake here was a loss of power (for about a week; we were forced to stay at a motel not far from here) and the loss of some food (thanks in part to the power being out), but we managed to escape the worst of it. Now, as you probably know, Mississippi and Louisiana both got smacked pretty hard by Katrina, and I am hoping that your family in that area is okay. Have you heard from them yet? I pray and hope that they are okay...I also remember you telling me that you have two sisters in Texas (one, of which, lives in Port Arthur, which is right in line of Hurricane Rita's path; I pray and hope that they get out of harm's way!!), and I hope that they get out without any problems. I will keep them in my prayers! Please keep me informed as to whether you hear from your Texas sisters!
I am doing okay, but still haven't found anything in the way of gainful employment. I haven't been able to afford the ever rising costs of gasoline (and I am fearful it may go even higher, thanks to Hurricane Rita), and I have had to pull my boys out of daycare because of the dwindling financial situation that I am currently in. I am now staying with Mother (as are the boys), and while I DO appreciate her gesture of kindness, I still worry about her health. She isn't well, you know; she is on oxygen due to emphysemia, and it is so hard to see her struggling at times to breathe...please keep her in your prayers as well! I have been with Mother ever since we got back from the motel, and it is cramped at best.
I heard from Eddie Greene, our other Miami friend, and he and HIS family just got back from a cruise to Alaska. They were there for a week, and they had a marvelous time! I will tell them that you asked about them, and I will tell them to write (but you have to write to them first; they said it has been a while since you last wrote to them!!). I have been wondering why you haven't written; I hope that nothing is seriously wrong with you or your family!
Speaking of family, congratulations on the addition of Janica, your child from Romania! She sounds absolutely precious! I also say congrats on the additions of the three kids from New Orleans, Louisiana; my, you certainly do have a full house! You give the term "full house" a whole new meaning with your family! LOL I bet the three kids from New Orleans, Louisiana (as well as Janica) are keeping you hopping!
I have been thinking of going to school, to try to better myself. I WAS working (briefly) at a McDonald's, but the pay was lousy, and most of the co-workers that I worked with did NOT speak ANY English, and my knowledge of the Spanish language is about nil; so I was forced to quit. I have been looking ever since, but have only been met with resistance, especially since they find out in the end that I am the single mother to two boys under the age of five (and also don't know much in the way of Spanish; that seems to be something of a requirement here in South Miami). I wish I knew more Spanish, but I just can't understand a lot of it. I know you speak it; maybe you ought to come down here and work???...You would probably do a lot better than I was! A lot of the population here is rapidly turning Hispanic, and at least half of my neighbors on my street are Hispanic; so I hear Spanish just about every day, and I find it frustrating not to be able to communicate with them! All I know is how to say hello or how are you (as well as goodbye), but that is IT. (Besides, I am ITALIAN, NOT Hispanic!! LOL) I will be looking into some adult education classes or some entry level classes at one of the local colleges here; I will let you know what happens; so stay tuned!~
Again, I thank you for writing; I am sorry to have to run off like this, but Mother is calling me again, so I have to see what she wants, plus I have to put the boys down for their morning nap. I will write more later; again, I hope you hear from your sisters in Texas, and I hope they make it through the hurricane! Please keep me informed about this! Take care, and God bless!
(((HUGS))) and much love, your friend in Florida, Betty Jo Ciagalore. :(
You have such a "feel" for your characters Karen, you truly bring them to life with the way you treat them with such care. A beautiful compassionate heart! Please take care.
Another "fly on the wall" account. I love the very real and genuine concern that you show in these friendships, Karen, and I guess it is moments of shared intimacy like these that enable these precious folks to be able to cope with their extremely busy and demanding lives and schedules. No wonder it is said: "If you want something done, ask a busy person!" I love the way that these peeps NEVER stint on the care and concern, though, which is the basis of building real life and true community. Beautiful and tender. TY Kate xx
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Thursday, September 22, 2005 (First Day of Fall!!), 10:17 a.m., E.D.T.~
