The Aid is Coming

It is heartening to see on the news that President Bush is going to find extra help for us through former Presidents Bush and Clinton. It is heartening to me, because I can see the news. Because my house finally has electricity.

Many thousands, though, cannot see the news. They haven't yet seen photos of the devastation in New Orleans and in Mississippi. They have seen the damage along our own Gulf Coast, but they have not seen how widespread it is.

What we are seeing, is long lines at the few open gas stations, long lines waiting for ice, water, and food.

We are seeing gas shortages and lack of food and water before everyone is served.

We are seeing people dumping the entire contents of their refrigerators and freezer because the food has spoiled without electricity.

We are seeing that the garbage cannot be picked up.

We are seeing that our mailboxes are empty in Mobile County. The USPS cannot yet deliver mail.

We are seeing heat exhaustion. Our every day is like a heat wave. It is 95 degrees today, with 78% humidity. Today is actually a better day than normal, humidity-wise.

We are seeing desperation. Tempers are flaring because people are so hot and hungry and thirsty.

We are seeing our brothers and sisters in Louisiana and Mississippi come to us for help, but we don't have help to give them yet.

It is wonderful that the United States government is sending so much help to us. It is a beautiful thing to hear that other countries have pledged to help us.

It is beautiful to me...and to you....because we can see it on television.

What we are seeing in person here on the Gulf Coast is quite a different thing.