Thank you for all your emails, prayers, and concern.
I have put off the inevitable. We've packed and prepped and picked-up the yard, kenneled up the animals, and stuffed the ice cooler. The only thing left is to shut down this here compu-tear.
The children and I are headed northward in the next couple of hours. My husband is staying to await his order into work. My older two children are still at work but will follow us when they get off this afternoon.
We're under voluntary evacuation today, mandatory by tomorrow.
We're also in a Catch-22.
It seems if we stay here and the Hurricane skirts the Gulf coast as projected we'll get Category 1 storm winds of 75 mph. If we head north we're sure to get the tropical storm winds of 60 mph.
But now is the time we must decide whether to stay or leave. I don't want to run into the contraflow tomorrow so we're heading out.
For Hurricane Rita in 2005 we were not able to come home until 3 weeks later and where without electricity for 4 weeks. I don't remember how long it was before we got our phone line and Internet up and running.
Why do we stay here? Why do we continue to live in this area? Well, besides the fact my husband's job and all our family live here too, my banner artwork tells the rest of the story.
I've been wanting to write about it but haven't found the time. It's entitled "The Arrival of the Acadians in Louisiana" and was painted by Robert Dafford. The young boy marked #37 was my distant ancestor on my father's side Joseph Sonnier. He came to Louisiana after the Acadian Exile from what is now Nova Scotia.
(Go here to view the whole mural of the Acadians arriving in America.)
My ancestors were refugees back then and we are refugees today.
There seems to be a humbling realization in following in the footsteps of the our forefathers. We are kept ever aware that we are from strong stock and even stronger family ties. We are kept ever aware that we are not in control of life events. We are kept ever aware that there is Someone greater than us watching over us. We are kept ever aware that we really are just travelers in this life. And we're on an adventure.
Godspeed and God bless us all.
Praying for you, dear Cay.
Posted by: Caroline | August 30, 2008 at 01:52 PM
You are in our prayers! We live in the Houston area and are also really watching Gustav. We remember Katrina all to well. I'm glad you are heading north to safety! We did that a few years ago when Houston had a voluntary evacuation... and we left a day or 2 before most and didn't get stuck with millions of others trying to evacuate.
I'm praying for everyone in Gustav's path!!!
Dana
Posted by: Dana | August 30, 2008 at 01:56 PM
Prayers for you and your family, Cay.
Posted by: Courtney | August 30, 2008 at 02:00 PM
God bless you Cay - you are in our prayers! My son and daughter-in-law are moving to New Orleans in a few weeks. Needless to say I'm a bit nervous. . .
Posted by: Michele Quigley | August 30, 2008 at 04:16 PM
Prayers for you and your family!
Posted by: Carole in Wales | August 30, 2008 at 05:00 PM
Cay, I'm praying for you and everyone who will be affected by Gustav. My husband left this morning for the Florida panhandle. He works for 5th Army and will be a liaison between the feds and the state for whatever is needed before, during and after the storm. Stay safe!
Posted by: Kalona | August 30, 2008 at 05:31 PM
PS: My daughter's husband is from New Iberia--he's a sweet brown-eyed Cajun man. We love him. I'll have to send him your link so that he can see that painting.
Posted by: Kalona | August 30, 2008 at 05:37 PM
Thank you so much for updating us.
My heart goes out to you, at this time...
Gentle hugs,
Miss Mari-Nanci
'Smilnsigh' blog
Posted by: Miss Mari-Nanci | August 30, 2008 at 06:07 PM
Cay, you are still in our prayers. DH's family is not leaving Abbeville and Kaplan until 4 am, and then heading to Fort Worth.
Posted by: Paula in MN | August 30, 2008 at 06:57 PM
May the Lord keep you and your family safe!
Posted by: Ouiz | August 30, 2008 at 09:36 PM
Oh, well said Cay! Friends from other states ask me all the time "why do you stay there?!". I think it is something you must experience to fully comprehend. By the way, have you seen the Robert Dafford mural on the wall of the Acadian Memorial in St. Martinville? It is quite awe inspiring to see those figures life-size.
Stay safe! We are heading slightly North this morning.
Posted by: Alice C | August 31, 2008 at 07:19 AM
Hugs and prayers from us
Posted by: Leonie | August 31, 2008 at 05:09 PM
Praying, Cay!
Posted by: KC | August 31, 2008 at 06:50 PM
Hey Cay,
I'm in Tennessee. I wanted to check in and see if you had left. We made the trip a 2-day event and we are exhausted, but safe.
Still praying for this storm to weaken again.
Love to you and yours,
Kimberly
Posted by: Kimberly | August 31, 2008 at 07:46 PM
You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. God bless you!
Posted by: Maria | September 01, 2008 at 07:55 AM
Praying for you and your family and friends!
Posted by: Louise | September 01, 2008 at 09:44 AM
May God keep you and yours safe Cay!!!
Posted by: Barbara | September 01, 2008 at 03:19 PM
You're in my prayers, Cay.
Posted by: Ruth | September 02, 2008 at 07:48 AM
Looking forward to hearing you are well and safe.
Posted by: Deb | September 02, 2008 at 09:01 PM
Cay, as I sit in Natchitoches, waiting to return to Houma (right now, we don't know when), reading your last blog, I was struck with such a feeling of peace and calm reading about our Acadian ancestors. I have admired your banner artwork, and it has made me form a connection to your blog. These words awed me....
"My ancestors were refugees back then and we are refugees today.
There seems to be a humbling realization in following in the footsteps of the our forefathers. We are kept ever aware that we are from strong stock and even stronger family ties. We are kept ever aware that we are not in control of life events. We are kept ever aware that there is Someone greater than us watching over us. We are kept ever aware that we really are just travelers in this life. And we're on an adventure."
As this "adventure" of Gustav continues to unfold in my family's life, and we take up our "refugee" roles, I am so thankful to you for your wise words, and thankful to God for making us Cajuns such a strong people.
God bless you and your family.
Posted by: Lisa | September 02, 2008 at 10:34 PM
Are you all safe and sound? I rememeber your ordeal with Rita, you have been in our constant prayers! Update us when you can, until then.....
Posted by: molly | September 03, 2008 at 08:14 AM