A Liar, A Crier And A Cheat

I would like to start this post by apologizing for being MIA yesterday. Now I could make up a story about how I watched the Super Bowl and was so tired afterwards that I wrote a post that I wasn't sure made any sense and how I asked Jessica to proof it for me and how we had mixed messages and I didn't get her message that the post was "Punk approved" and thus never posted it but that's totally unbelievable so I'm just going to tell the truth.

George Clooney stopped by and well, you know.

So while George was here, he, Matt and I got to talking about all the good work our dear friend, Brad Pitt, is doing down in New Orleans. (If you recall Matt and I hang out with Brad and Angie after hours.) And I thought I might share with you some of my thoughts from that conversation or I might just be posting the post I wrote yesterday because I'm too lazy to write a new one. (I'd hate to waste a "Punk approved" post.)

I feel confident that I watched no less then 13 hours of Superbowl coverage today. The media talked a lot about New Orleans and how they still haven't recovered from Katrina and how they  have so much invested in their team (emotionally speaking). How knowing that the Saints made it to the Superbowl gives them hope and a belief that they could overcome any obstacle and accomplish anything.

All the talk of Katrina reminded me of where I was when the levees broke. Growing up I always heard people talk about remembering where they were when man walked on the moon or JFK got shot, etc. It occurs to me now that I'm old. I remember where I was when major events took place. I remember when the first Bush declared war on Iraq or where I was when Princess Diana died. I remember the confusion and disbelief of the people in the room when we heard over the radio that the twin towers had collapsed.

When Katrina hit New Orleans, I was pregnant for Anthony. I sat in my living room and cried. I felt completely helpless. I wanted to rush down there and comfort the people I saw on the news. Naturally a pregnant woman with a one year old can't just pick up and spend a few weeks wading through dirty waters. We were beyond poor. We couldn't even make ends meet for ourselves so I had no money or things to donate. So I just sat there and cried for them.
A lot of other natural disasters have occurred since then, most recently, of course, the earthquake in Haiti. For me (at least), it feels like we move from one problem to the next. We've moved on from Katrina, but the citizens of New Orleans have not. Katrina has continued to walk the streets of New Orleans long after the media abandoned them. Their homes are still nothing more then slabs of concrete that were once the foundations. They are still living with friends or homeless. They want to rebuild their lives, but like Matt and I were so many years ago, they lack the means to even help themselves.
But tonight, as they celebrate something as seemingly meaningless as a football win, they are full of pride and hope. Watching the Saints struggle for years upon years before accomplishing their goal of winning the Superbowl reminds the people of New Orleans that patience, hard work and determination can overcome.

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

Next time George stops by, send him over or call me up so I can say, "Hi!"!

Great Superbowl post, I am glad you didn't waste it.

As Americans we should remember to help no only those around the world, but especially those that are our own and our neighbors. New Orleans still could use our donations. Let's see what we can do today!

just call me jo said...

How versatile you are to entertain George and his posse AND write this thought-provoking post. What a multi-tasker you are! I'm sure George enjoyed his visit. Next time do post pictures.

Amanda @ It's Blogworthy said...

OK, as lame as it may sound, that's one of the reasons I was rooting for the Saints to win (and I don't really like football to start with!) the team means so much to a city that's had so much saddness, it's time for a little joy!

Live~Love~Laugh~Be Scrappy said...

Dropped by from SITS....vey thought provoking post. Telll George hello next time he stops by:)

Sarah and the Gentlemen said...

I was rooting for the Colts. I had to pick one. My husband was rooting for the Saints. Oh well.

foxy said...

It's the same thing with Ike in Galveston. People go back to their lives after the action is gone and the tv crews have stopped reporting and it becomes out-of-site/out-of-mind. But the people there live with it for years and years and years trying to rebuild.

Great post.

And it's a little scary when you realize you're old enough to remember long-ago big things. My first big memory is watching the Challenger explode when I was in 7th grade (man, I'm old). Cuh-razy.

Uptown Girl said...

This was def not a post to be wasted.
I was so happy for the people of New Orleans to see that huge win on Sunday. Even though football is "just a game" I think it really meant a lot.

coach said...

GO Saints! Next year it will be the year of the Bills. New Orleans is a beautiful city that banded together and who can forget the day that many people from that area all dumped in to the Superdome? What a site!

Wisconsin Parent said...

Oh wow. You are a serious writer too. Punk! I missed Katrina...watching Little House on Maternity leave. I'm not proud of it, in a way it maybe was better for postpartum depression.

Jules AF said...

I remember exactly where I was when Princess Di died too! Sigh.

Unknown said...

What a great post. I wrote a little Superbowl predictions post on my blog but now it seems sort of superficial, lol. Oh well, takes all kinds, right? Thanks for the thought-provoking (not a lie) post!