N.O.

I've never been to New Orleans, so this is kind of how I see it: in black and white.

But Joe has been there and for the past 10 years I have heard him tell stories of his school trip there. What he saw, heard, felt, and exerienced. The stories are so colorful and full of life.

I'll never get to see New Orleans as it was, but I have comfort when I hear Joe talk about it. But that's not important.

Thousands of people lost their homes, lives, belongings, family members, automobiles, pets, clothing, and livelihoods. Thousands of people here in the United States are suddenly homeless. These people are not citizens of New Orleans anymore. They are now citizens of every city and town in America. Their children are our children. Their sorrows are our sorrows. Even if you live as far north as Washington or Maine, you have new neighbors. They come armed with nothing but hope that they will move past this incredibly difficult time and that somehow someone will help them pull their lives back together.

Please, if you are not close enough to take in families or to volunteer for cleaning up the southern coastal areas, donate to The Red Cross. Money that is donated to The Red Cross will help feed, cloth, and shelter individuals and families who have nothing. Literally. Thanks.