I am currently using Gwen’s computer and linking to you via her wireless at the King and Prince hotel in beautiful St. Simon’s Island, Georgia. Gwen’s family has several units here on the island, one of which was not being used, so it was a good place for us to hang our hats. Our neighbors from New Orleans are actually on the island as well, so tomorrow we are going to try to see them and reconnect a bit.
Unfortunately, we are without television and internet at the townhouse. And my wireless card is on the fritz. So we are back to having no connection to the outside world… this situation may not last long. We’ve been advised to not return to Mobile until the curfew has been lifted, the looting stopped, fuel is available, and stores are open. The bummer is that we don’t have a lot of options. Staying at my brothers was really a big strain on them in their apartment and not a place where Paul could work with all of us hunkered in a room with the news blaring. We can’t go to my parents right now. Affording a hotel is out of the question. But Paul’s work has been mum on what his options are (is he using vacation? what if we can’t get to a place with internet for awhile? etc.) and he is worked up about his need for internet. Perhaps if we can get cable and internet to the townhouse tomorrow we can make this work. Otherwise, we’ll have to move on early.
We had a great welcome here in SSI from Gwen and her Dad, Mike. They went grocery shopping and stocked the house (complete with everything from baby wipes, OJ, water, and Will’s favorite oatmeal). Then Gwen made me complete loose it when she showed she had made me a “me-me” to help make me feel at home… just thinking about it is choking me up again. Those who know me well will understand the great significance of this: from my earliest memory until a few weeks ago, I slept every night with a pink Strawberry Shortcake blanket I called “me-me”. Me-me has followed me everywhere… backpacking through Europe, camping, travel, overnights, it even sat on my lap while I took my AP exams in high school. I’ve often said that me-me was the most precious thing to me in times of crisis, as I child I could not sleep without it. After years of having it at my side every night of my life, I was forced to admit a few weeks ago that me-me was ready for retirement (it was about to dissolve on me). So me-me was placed lovingly in a plastic baggie and put at the bottom of a special drawer for safe keeping until those times when I really needed it. Hopefully, it is still there, because it didn’t make it out of New Orleans with us. So, Gwen sewed me a little replica — complete with Strawberry Shortcake’s little face and white edging. If that doesn’t reach a soft spot, I don’t know what does.
Continued thanks for the emails and thoughts… it is what reminds us that we actually do have a life.
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