Two clouds hanging in the sky over old New Orleans.
On Monday, the second cloud fell and cried.
Just last May, I also cried loudly—wondering, where was the outrage?A dear friend of mine, a pillar of this community with whom I schooled had just committed suicide.From everything I know, he could not handle the pressures and disorientations associated with Katrina.
Almost one year later, his just-adult son followed his way out.Another sad suicide.Another Katrina tragedy.
Driving back from the funeral, I passed through neighborhoods that were once brimming with people.Despite the poor education, the crime, pot-holed streets there was always humanity.
Not yesterday.Not now.
Some homes were not gutted, some showed the still signs of life.FEMA vans sat on lawns where kids once played.This was not a city, it was an extension of a graveyard.
Yes, this is what New Orleans has been, is becoming and will be unless we all know the misery, the pain, the hopelessness, the fears, and the despair as lives are being ripped apart and unless we dream and get every ounce of help we can hold dear.
Obviously my good friend felt the deep gloom.I assume so did his son.
I watched the wife of the husband, the mother of the son tear out her soul in sorrow as the coffin was lowered into the lonely grave.
Words cannot explain the loss.How do you say goodbye forever to a young husband and a son in only one year?
The answer is Katrina and then Rita.
As sweet of a face we try to put on the recovery that is happening so slow, as determined we are to give everything we have to make a go, it is so hard.It is so hard.
Yesterday, two dark clouds met in the sky.Two years ago, two dark storms slammed our shores.
Sometimes fault does not matter at all.Life does.Light does.
On Monday, there was none--only puzzlement, anger, and frustration.
Death had come and taken one of our prodigal sons;Just as it had taken his prodigal father.
Their parting and joining after life brings us solace.But, somebody, please salve our collective pain as we make sense of our loss of jobs, our broken futures and our deep intertwined roots.I beg you hear our outrage..
On Monday, two dark clouds hovered in the sky.One fell in tears.Sadly, we will never know why.
Thanks Stephen for sharing this tragedy with us, as it hopefully will make more of us reflect. I am sorry for your loss.
Written by R.E. Lee
on 5/23/2007
I read it. Thanks for sending it to me. I can feel your pain. I will call u later.
Written by Bev
on 5/21/2007
The suggested Red Cross Mental Health and Counseling Assistance covers I believe $1000 in medical bills. Call them toll free at 1(866) 794-HOPE
Written by K. Brad Ott
on 5/16/2007
Red Cross is offering the services for mental health treatment and or medications. I believe it is up to $2000.00 per family member. The money can be used to cover associated cost back to a few days after the storm. I think the benefits will expire in 2008 or 2009. I will try to find the number to share with you all.
Written by Mo from the N.O.
on 5/16/2007
Dear Steve, my sincerest condolences- for you and everyone else who knew
this father and son.
I have been told that the American Red Cross is giving $2000 for mental health services
to anyone affected by the storms here.
A family member has applied and it looks like they will be approved without
a lot of paperwork- hassles etc.
If this in any way can help people from taking their own lives here- well this would be some of the best money ever spent by the Red Cross.
Written by Richard Vallon Jr.
on 5/16/2007
Steve,
My condolences to you and you are in my prayers.
Susie Labry
Your Louisiana Sunshine
Written by louisianasunshine
on 5/15/2007
We were at the cemetery yesterday and cried for what was and what could have been. We lost a good friend last year and a future friend this year.
Written by Karen & Robert Maczewski
on 5/15/2007
Sad greetings Steve. My son who goes to Newman came home yesterday and spoke of an assembly given by Bernard's older brother about his death..very sad and all the Newman community was very shocked. My son is a soph. but had met him several times in the homes of his classmates older brothers..How deeply we are all impacted by his loss..XOXO Krista...How much he was loved by his Newman community...
Written by krista jurisich
on 5/15/2007
Many just do not know how much we continue to suffer despite our best efforts. Just before I read this, I ended a 45 minute call from a crying friend who just wanted to hear the voice of someone from home, New Orleans. We will never find our lifestyle, our culture, our families, our selves anywhere else, but we must remember that we have to push forward toward the light in the tunnel. I don't think that people who are not living this know what it is to feel this loss. This great loss. But most importantly, we must remember that there is HOPE! My prayers to the family.
Written by Mo from the N.O.
on 5/15/2007
Unfortunately, Steve, the statistics of children of suicide victims becoming victims themselves are very high. The mental health crisis in this country and in New Orleans, where it is desperately needed, doesn't help either. So sorry for the loss of your two dear friends.
Written by Algereen
on 5/15/2007
I am sincerely sorry. It is tragic.
For seven months after Katrina, 7 days a week 14-16 hours a day for the first 3 months going to people's homes to measure for accommodating FEMA trailers. The despair and depression we heard while talking with people who needed trailers, is still overwhelming. I would not be surprised by many more suicides after what we heard for seven months. I SHOULD be on anti depressents. Our group put out 10,000 trailers I worked from Lafitte all over the westbank and in New Orleans. The rage and anger that I heard about the pumps being turned off is SCARY! When we have a President who continues to lie to us about helping us, Blanco and Nagin in my opinion are incompetent. Sorry I am rambling about myself when the subject is someone elses tragedy.
The bottom line for me is this am on a local radio show I hear for politician Jimmy Fitzmorris talking about his career. he was asked if he could do something for New Orleans what would it be? Jimmy Fitzmorris said that he called Nagin and offered help but never received a return call. My point is that first we have to depend on ourselves and others. However this is bigger than all of us and it is not our fault. We are being neglected. I hope that somehow we can reach each other who may be in despair and stop people from their tragic decisions.
Please in some way lets try to listen to someone here or on the streets and lend an ear and hope that we can show that we care and hopefully make help someone out of their despair. The psychiatrists have left so who else can we go to but each other? I say this while admitting that I could not reach three people whom I know that committed suicide.
Steve I am truly sorry and express at least my sympathy to your friend's wife. I am not a Bible reader but I know one that says that we should help the least among us. Well now most of us are the least among us, so maybe we can at least help each other on this board.
Written by Greg
on 5/15/2007
I am sorry for your loss.
Because of the refusal of LSU Health Science Center, Health Care Services Division and Governor Blanco to reopen the Avery C. Alexander Charity Hospital, which has 97 psych beds and 40 triage ones, the entire health system, public and private has been put in jeporady. The Times-Picayune FINALLY noted the efforts of Big Charity's medical staff and the U.S. military to reopen the facility one month after Katrina -- but LSUHCSD block this. They forced us into makeshift facilities. We still have them. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED!
Anyone desiring to do something about this situation, please join with me and others in our efforts. We are seeking testimonies of experiences and allies to reopen Big Charity, even on an interim basis, until any meaningful replacement can be made. To date, the entire system, public and private providers are failing us and our entire region's recovery.
Kindest Regards,
K. Brad Ott
Charity Hospital system outpatient
Member, Region 1 Health Care Consortium
Co-Chair, R1HCC's "Care for the Uninsured" subcommittee
bradott@bellsouth.net
Written by K. Brad Ott
on 5/15/2007
We were at the cemetery yesterday and cried for what was and what could have been. We lost a good friend last year and a future friend this year.
Written by Karen & Robert Maczewski
on 5/15/2007
Steve; I commend you for both your morality and human sensitivity in presenting what is obviously a terribly difficult human story. The unwritten part of this is that the true dimensions of the Katrina/Rita tragedy, which have affected the lives of millions, can only be measured one life at a time. I offer you my sincere condolences on the loss of your friend and his son. May God be with you all.
Written by Jacob Sulzbach
on 5/15/2007
Thank you all so much for your thoughts. Let me express that the reason for my writing this is that we are all in this together. Yes, it is my loss, but, so much more, it is our loss. All of us have lost friends and family since the storms. All of us have had our lives disrupted. I am actually one of the lucky ones compared to so many others. So, while my friend was a special person, so are so many of our friends and family members. Still, I thank you so much for sharing your thoughts as we all move forward, one day and even one loss at a time.
Written by Stephen Sabludowsky, Publisher of Bayoubuzz
on 5/15/2007
Condolenses, Stephen. Though we may differ from time to time on some issues, I believe that you are sincere and only wish the best for all. Your loss is our loss. God Bless.
Written by Sharon
on 5/15/2007
Hello Steve, hello New Orleans: I am truly sorry for your losses. In 1978 I came to NOLA for the first time, and I could not leave! I tried, but could not. I decided to stay for a short time -- stayed in a van at a local campground and got a job as a waitress. What was it that made me fall in love with your city? It's now the city I claim for my own, even though I live in a northern state. New Orleans embraced me and claimed me, too. The people, yes, it was the people -- you guys as we say up here. When I finally had to leave in 1979, I wept for the first 100 miles on the road, vowing to return. And return I have, as much as I can. After Katrina hit, my friend & I came to do some hurrican relief work, and we met many of you, helping where we could. We felt your utter despair and wept with you. And here I am, reading the Bayou Buzz just to know what's going on, just to read what you all write about your, and my, city. Please know that hearts are with you. Mine is. Barbara Allen
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