meisa's lagoon

i just donated to the red cross hurricane relief fund. it seems like so little that i can give compared to the massive amounts of money and time it will take to restore new orleans back to the way it used to be, but i guess every little bit helps.
i've been watching the footage on tv and the internet and weeping. it's so hard to imagine that the city i spent so much time in as a child is no longer there. i think about all the little things that stand out in my mind about the town, all the unique homes, all the silly shops selling loads and loads of beads year round, the "it's our secret" store shokufeh and i used to pass and whisper to one another "shhhh...it's our secret", the beignets at cafe du monde - which i haven't had in years now, but still drool over, and of course, my aunt and uncle's home on napoleon avenue. who knows if any of these places are there anymore.
i'm having a hard time expressing my sorrow over what's happening down there now. i've been thinking about it nonstop and only wishing that i could do something to help, crying for the people of new orleans, those i know and all the rest that are devastated by the state of the place they call home. it's one of the towns that has touched my heart most in life. i can only hope that the spirit of the people that made new orleans the amazing place it was will be strong enough to carry the city to overcome this tragedy.
my thoughts and prayers go out to all of you affected by this disaster.