Cappy's Corner

I am so pleased to see that there will be less lives lost in the path of Hurricane Gustav. I do understand what it is like to be evacuated, during Hurricane Andrew I lived in the Keys and the day we had to leave was so sedate. There wasn't a breath of wind, there wasn't a ripple on the surface of the water, it was the calm before the storm. I took my daughter with me and we went to Miami to my parents house, right into the path of the storm. The horror of what I saw and how I felt was something I never want to relive. My brother was in the direct path, the evacuation area, and his home was hit by one of the many tornadoes that was spun from this horrible storm. He stayed in his home and his life somehow was spared. He stood in a closet with his pets, because that was the only thing left of his house. I was frantic looking for my son after the storm and the people I loved, we didn't have communications like today and I had to hit the streets looking for him. As I searched the streets my eyes were full of tears, for everything I remembered was gone and my fear was that I had lost my son too. When I arrived at the house my son was staying at, there wasn't anything left, my daughter who was with me, jumped out of the car and ran to find him. After more searching we found all of our family safe and sound. I understand so well.

New Orleans, the place of music from the heart, has already had enough tragedy. I do know that what the State did for the people this time was wonderful, letting them bring their animals was the only way to get this successful evacuation accomplished and save lives of people and their precious pets. I would never leave without my pets, for they are part of my family and anybody who thinks otherwise has no heart. New Orleans will be singing the Blues again, I wish that everyone is safe and my heart goes out to all.