A glimpse of hope...

This year Arnold's work party was held at the Jackson County Civic Center in downtown Pascagoula, Mississippi. We were thrilled to see people we hadn't seen since last year's get together. The stark constrast between this year's party and last year's was simply unbelievable. Still cleaning up from Hurricane Katrina many of the employees who attended last year's party came in everyday street clothes. The only clothes some of them had left. Tired, worn and ragged many employees spent their time talking, sharing, reminiscing, and shaking their heads in disbelief. This year's party showed a very different side of life for those affected by the storm. One of happiness, gratitude and love. One of smiles, laughter and excitement as they saw others who too had made it through all the rubble and pain Hurricane Katrina left behind. One couple in particular made us literally jump out of our seats as we saw them enter the ballroom. Rick and Patsy lost everything they owned to a 8 foot storm surge that came rushing through their home in Ocean Springs. Arnold and I spent countless hours after the storm pulling out carpet, sheetrock, and furniture too badly damaged to salvage. The interesting thing about this couple is that at the time of the storm, Patsy was in Tennessee undergoing treatment for breast cancer. It was wonderful to see them again and to hear of their "new" home and all the joy that it brings them! Patsy's cancer is in complete remission and as you can see the best part of all she says is that her hair is finally growing back!