Report from Pearlington

A report from "home" about calls from Pearlington.

Hello everyone, Marian here.

Jon's days and nights have been busy and exhausting and time to write and send a message has become all but non-existent. He is in the Recovery Centre by 6:30 a.m. each morning, and often doesn't return to his "home" there until after 8:30 or 9:00 p.m. Often, when he calls at night, the weariness is obvious in his voice and his stories tell of the ongoing challenge to keep organized groups focused on the needs of the residents - some of whom are still sleeping on the ground on day 82 (that's two and a half months since Katrina hit this ground zero town).

There are some amazing volunteers, though - from church groups, from fire departments, from a town/city that adopted Pearlington, from Americorps and from individuals from other states who, like Jon, just showed up to help. Volunteers are starting to emerge from Pearlington itself as some people rise back up from the trauma and want to offer help to the others in town and some relief and appreciation to those who have been assisting in recovery.

Of course, there are the happy stories of karaoke and crab boils and hallowe'en and hope chests and informal fireside gatherings. There is laughter and joking and the occasional belly laugh. There are stories of courage and hope and also those of despair. Sounds like life - yet it seems more real and on fast forward as Jon tells me the stories of those he has met. And it is upclose and personal for him to witness how individuals find something inside themselves to pick up the pieces (literally) of their lives and go on - sharing what little they have and have left with those they call family and anyone else whose need is presented.

Jon needs a miracle this week. It is his plan to leave for home a week from today. Before then, he needs another person like him to take the torch. Someone who puts the needs of the residents first; someone who can advocate on behalf of the residents for the material goods that they require; someone who can be trusted to deliver all donated goods directly to the people of Pearlington; someone who can get what needs to be done, done and quickly so; someone who can see the big picture and deploy the human and material resources appropriately. So, we are asking all of you to put your energy into the collective so that this person can arrive in a timely fashion in Pearlington. Join an imaginary circle of those who are offering their prayerful assistance and strengthen it with your intention that a replacement show up. It is the energy of making Dreams come true - as most of you already know.

Jon is taking tomorrow off (first day in three weeks) and will be visiting New Orleans. We may or may not hear more about that as time goes by.

Thank you for your calls, your comments, your money, your concern and your affirmations.

Marian in Canada,
wife of "Canada" Jon