So, if the reports are true, the worst case scenario did not come to fruition, and my Home exists. My parent's house and its contents are another question, as they evacuated to a couple of hours away and have not yet been allowed to return. But, the city of New Orleans is still there, despite the flooding and broken bits. Thanks to all of you for your good thoughts.
Over the past six months, I've come to a greater recognition of the attachment I have to New Orleans. No matter how much I love my husband and the feeling of home we've created, New Orleans will always be Home. From the early days of my pregnancy, I felt homesick - it wasn't just a longing to spend time with my parents, it was a longing to return Home, to New Orleans. I finally had an understanding of those stories I'd read in the past, of women who would place some dirt from their hometown under the bed while giving birth, so that their children would be born over southern soil. No, I'm not going to do that, I just have a greater understanding of that mentality now. Something about being pregnant has brought out my attachment to my primordial home.
It's not an attachment that requires me to move there. (Which is good, because one thing we discovered on our recent visit is that we can't afford to do that). It's an attachment that makes me never want to go longer than a year between visits. It's an attachment that makes me glad I got to see the city in its intact state a couple of weeks ago. It's an attachment that makes me wish I could go there and help pick up the pieces. It's an attachment that makes me glad the place I call Home dodged what could have been a lot worse.
Posted by Shokufeh at August 29, 2005 04:40 PMstill holding good thoughts. when i heard about the hurricane, i thought of who i know who might be there and you came to mind. i'm glad your parents are safe.
Posted by: stef at August 29, 2005 05:12 PMI have been crossing my fingers all day. If I didn't live in Chicago I would live in New Orleans and actually hope someday to be able to move there fulltime and have the creative self-run job that I secretly (or not so secretly) dream about. The first time I got off the Amtrak in New Orleans and just breathed the air in the middle of June I felt right. My skin looks great there. My hair looks fabulous there. I sleep better, I walk more, I just feel healthier. And I could have a night-blooming jasmine plant ouside my bedroom window there.
Chicago has my brain, but New Orleans has my soul. I feel very conflicted about which city is better but I know I love them both. And I'm planning a trip for February to go there so I'll get to be there when it isn't 90 degrees and 90 percent humidity.
Posted by: Cinnamon at August 29, 2005 05:30 PMwe were in your parent's home 1-1/2' ago when my matey was featured in a show at NOMA and i had a new poetry chapbook to share w/my spiritual family. the times we spent there are indelibly marked and fated. today we choked words of appreciation and concern out to each other, hearing the news of what may occur. from the cautions npr voiced, it truly ain't over 'til it's over. that said, i hope the worst has indeed come and no one can abide (or reelect)those who would have us believe there's no such thing as global warming, for instance.
when you speak to your parents tell them how much their openness and response meant for us when we visited there in spring 2004, and that, once we find ourselves ensconced in the continental us, we'll be wanting another journey there too. shaloha!
Still crossing my fingers for your home town & parents' house. I hope they are able to return soon and things will be better than expected.
Posted by: Steph at August 30, 2005 07:46 AMmaybe this is why the penguins (and so many other animals) go back to where they were born to have their babies.
Posted by: meisa at August 30, 2005 09:07 AMI know exactly how you feel about New Orleans. If I had the money, I'd be living there, even after all of this. My heart is breaking right now.
Posted by: Julia at August 30, 2005 09:40 PMi'm so glad you parents are okay. so glad!
love, kari