It has been just over one month (August 29) since Katrina hit. I wanted to give folks an update now that things are a little clearer. Some info is a repeat of past info on the blog…for that I am sorry, but I am trying to bring many folks up to speed.

HOUSE
• I live in Metairie. I am about 6 blocks from Lake Pontchartrain and about 2 miles from a infamous 17th Street Canal (where there was a breach in the levee.)
• Only “damage” to my home– replace freezer and refrigerator. (spoiled stinky Cajun food after electricity failed.
• No flooding or shingle/roof damage. Minor screen damage.
• Lost a small (5 x 8 ft) outdoor shed. Contents were okay; shed was blown away.
• We’re allowed back to live there, but are not moving back in (more under “FUTURE” PLANS)
• Marlene and her parents went to meet the insurance adjuster earlier this week. They worked liked Trojans to cut the grass, which was 16 to 20 inches high. There were tree twigs and limbs all over the yard.

MARLENE
• Marlene has been working from Lafayette (she works for an internet related company and can work as long as she has access to the internet).
• She was amazing in the days after Katrina, finding her co-workers and then advocating for her department workers (making sure that they were okay before they could get back up and running to work).
• When hurricane Rita struck, she had to “start over”, because many Katrina evacuees were now scattered again.
• Her bosses continued to be flexible and creative in allowing her to work from Lafayette.

MEGAN
• Megan is enrolled at St. Pius Elementary in Lafayette and is doing well there from all indications. She has been a trooper, rising an hour earlier to adjust to a new schedule.
• She is on the School’s volleyball team (Go Cougars!) and they won a game this week (not a match, but they were so excited!)
• She does miss her friends but really enjoys St. Pius. Her “old” school St. Catherine’s opened on Wednesday. I don’t know a lot of details about that but I have been reassured from her principal that she is welcome to return when she wants to. We’ve been blessed to have worked with 2 wonderful schools and faculties.

MIKE
• It’s been hard to be away while Marlene and her parents tend to the details of cleaning up. They have been wonderful through this all.
• I am almost done with a busy speaking stint.
• Flying out of Lafayette, rather than New Orleans, has been fine.

CURRENT REALITIES
• My in-laws are kind enough to allow us to continue to live with them. They have been accommodating beyond belief.
• We are trying to work out creative solutions to allow Megan to finish a semester at St. Pius school. It is juggling travel schedules (between Mike’s traveling and Marlene’s work schedule between Metairie and Lafayette.)
• We have a renter in our home which allows for someone to be in the house and provides for the mortgage to be paid.

FUTURE PLANS

I’ve been a part of some wonderful sports events and memories at the high school and college level. They give me a great rush and a lot of joy, even in recounting them.

I got a new variety of that recently. My daughter Meg is now playing volleyball for St. Pius. She has been enjoying the school, the people, and the chance to be a part of the volleyball team. She has been a little down that her team has not experienced a ton of success in the win-loss department. Well, actually…none, to be more precise.

I was so excited I was going to get to see Megan play in a match. I had not gotten to see this because of the weirdly busy travel schedule of the last month.

I had people praying for me that I wouldn’t be the Will Ferrell dad type (Kicking and Screaming). I tend to think I know more about sports than I actually do! So I sat in the bleachers with my popcorn and tried not to yell/coach too much and just enjoy the game.

The team (the Cougars)

lost the first game but were really competitive in the second game…you could see their excitement rising, along with some natural nervousness and excitement as they were ahead late in the second game. (Who am I kidding? I was excited and nervous too!) When they won the second game, I would have loved to have the local media there (or even ESPN) to see the PURE JOY of sport and accomplishment and team spirit. They won a game! You could have sworn it was the Super Bowl, the World Series and the NCAA Final Four all wrapped into one. Jumping, cheering, hugging as a group, smiling. I couldn’t help but grin as Meg’s eyes met mine in that moment. (Nothing like that girl’s natural smile!) And the spring in their step as they took the court for the third and deciding game of the match.

I would love to tell you they came back and won the entire match; that didn’t happen. What DID happen was they caught a glimpse of their own potential, possibilities and the power of team work. That made for a great afternoon. And I got to enjoy it, not as a wanna-be jock, or an ex-coach but as a proud dad.

Go Cougars! Way to go #20.