The first year we lived here I often emailed friends and family about how much I loved it here. I often spoke of the water being in such close proximity. I even emailed pictures once of the sunset as I drove north on the causeway bridge. I felt happy to be here.
We only lived here sixteen months before hurricane Katrina. We were on vacation when she hit. From our vacation spot, we went directly to Dallas where my husband’s company was temporarily relocating. We stayed eight weeks. Our house was crushed by three very tall pines. I never thought that we wouldn’t return. I was just focused on what we needed to do to get back into our home. It was a rough time. It was a sad time. It was a life-changing time. It was a time to learn. Learn about ourselves, our strengths, our capabilities and what is most important to us—lessons that can only be taught in such life-changing events.
It took us a complete year to be fully rebuilt and recovered. And in that year our dog died, my husband fell off our roof and broke his arm, our main gas line broke, and my husband lost his job. The only positive was that our second child was born. Despite it all we still wanted to stay.
Why? Well, it is hard to put into words so I will give you a few examples:
I stay because I can rollerblade in February.
I stay because something is in bloom at least nine months out of the year.
I stay because while listening to musician Emily Gray in the French Quarter she gave my three year old daughter a CD of her music and my daughter still talks about it till this day.
I stay because it is easy to be a big fish in a small pond.
I stay because anyone can fit in here no matter what your lifestyle, religion, interests, wealth, ethnicity, career, or marital status.
I stay because my neighbors and friends in New Orleans did more for me the three months following the hurricane than any neighbor I had growing up ever did for me in twenty years.
I stay because the lake is only two miles from my house.
I stay because I can be at the beach in less than an hour.
I stay because I love crossing the causeway bridge—it is so serene and beautiful on a sunny, clear day.
I stay because being around water calms me, it allows me to think clearer, revives my soul.
I stay because I’ve experienced true southern hospitality and love it!
I stay because Mardi Gras is one of the wackiest traditions I’ve come across.
I stay because I think it is funny how crazy ya’ll go over king cake!
I stay because I am learning French without taking a class.
I stay because I am learning to appreciate all that weird food.
I stay because my husband had the opportunity to start his own business here.
I stay because I can stay home with my kids and still afford to live here.
I stay because this is where I live and so far no one has given me any reason to leave.
