A Very Late "Thank You" to our friends @ DU from our family

[Keseys Ghost]

Back in the last days of August, while my wife and I were in Crawford, Hurricane Katrina wiped out our world. Worst of all, our nighmare was, in the days following the storm, that we had no word regarding our daughter's safety/survival. You very loving people at DU, I later learned, organized a search for our princess. For that, I shall always be indebted. For that, you will all always be our family.

Love should be returned at all times.

We found her, safe and sound, four days after the storm. She is stronger for the experience and her mother and I are better parents and more grateful human beings for the tough lessons learned.

I've posted this photo elsewhere on this board, but I wanted you to see your Sarah (in purple) at Mardi Gras:




On behalf of Sarah Jane and all of the people who cherish her, I thank you sincerely.

Her mother and I will never forget the love you showed our family.

ONWARD!

[qanda]

1. I missed your story

But I'm so glad that your entire family is safe. Your daughter is very beautiful.

[graywarrior]

2. Our turn to thank you for sharing this.

So glad you are safe ang together. Sarah is beautiful.

[Sydnie]

3. I would be beside myself if I didn't know where my children were

but she seems so young to have to have gone through that nightmare. I am so glad that she is safe and that you all are trying to get on with the gettin' on. Hope you had a blast at Mardi Gras!

Hugs to Sarah too!

[Minnesota Libra]

4. I wasn't here in August but I am SO GLAD ......

....you and your family are all doing all right. Sending a big :grouphug: :loveya:

[Hissyspit]

5. Thank you for the update.

So glad to hear how everything turned out.

[annabanana]

6. I know that those who were able to help

consider themselves fortunate to have had the opportunity. She is a beautiful girl.:loveya:

[caligirl]

7. Nice to have a good outcome from a tragedy. Thank you for posting the

news and photo. You must be doing a great job with your daughter, she looks very happy despite what she had to go through.


:hi: :grouphug:

[SmokingJacket]

8. I can't even imagine going through such horror.

Best wishes to you as you put your lives back together...

[roguevalley]

9. that's your baby? I love this picture so much I captured it for my

happy file.

[zeemike]

10. What a beautiful little girl

Those 4 days she was missing must have been the worst kind of hell I can imagine.
But that people here at DU were willing to help does not surprise me, there are a lot of good people here.

[Keseys Ghost]

11. You people are the best!

ONWARD!

[applegrove]

12. I was too angry. I didn't pick up on your story. Glad you have peace.

[Keseys Ghost]

13. Before the storm, before school started, with us in Crawford

[Mikimouse]

14. That's great news! She is beautiful, and I am very happy to...

know that your experience was positive. I remember the first postings that came from Camp Casey about your daughter. Sending hugs.

[Wordie]

15. I don't know how I missed this, but I'm so very happy that this story had

a very happy ending, Keseys Ghost. I'm glad DU was able to help.

Welcome back to DU!

:hi:

:grouphug:

[Keseys Ghost]

16. Thanks for the welcome back

I was "Dylan Garcia" in another virtual life.

[malaise]

47. Thanks for making my Sunday morning

quite special. Your daughter is lovely.

[mom cat]

17. Thanks for letting us know what happened. I remember the story

and am glad that all turned out well for you.

[Keseys Ghost]

18. Everyday I dance!

Never sweat the small stuff, right?

[mom cat]

23. Right!

:grouphug:

[NastyRiffraff]

19. Thank god she's all right

She's a little doll! As a mother, I can't even imagine what you went through. I too missed the whole thing (I was worried about a couple of friends in N.O.) but I'm glad everything turned out all right and that little girl is with you again. What a sweet smile!

[Acebass]

20. Your so right Buddy!

We do have some good friends a DU...

[Keseys Ghost]

21. A final photo and I'll let it go

Thanks, many thanks.

[OhioBlue]

22. she is adorable

I'm so glad everything worked out for you.
:grouphug:

[Ksec]

24. That pic looks like the sixties.

I dont know how you people handled that storm and its aftermath. I live in a flood prone area, right beside the huge Ohio River and we get them every 5 years or so. Luckily Im high enough and dont get them. Ive helped people many times as waters rose.

Your flood make ours look small, and that saying something because we get some doozies . Good luck and I hope you get some comfort from the day to day recoveries.

[cally]

25. I'm glad you are all safe and together now

I remember checking during those terrible first days to see if your daughter was finally found. I know there was much discussion about who could get to where your daughter might be. I'm so glad it all worked out. Your daughter is wonderful. :hug:

[Keseys Ghost]

27. Yes, my daughter is wonderful!

All of the little girls, and the little boys, are wonderful.

I reckon that's why we're here, or what?

[NMDemDist2]

26. I was a mod then, and it was sheer chaos here, but Sarah Jane got to

the greatest page with every update Brainshrub gave us. people were so worried and we all felt like we personally knew and had a stake in the storm thanks to her.

You are so welcome and I am so glad that lovely little lady looks so happy and safe in that picture.

thank you for posting!

[Keseys Ghost]

28. I throw you a kiss from all of us!

ONWARD!

[Keseys Ghost]

29. Oh, and, thank goodness for Paul @ brainshrub

I need to send him a Kingcake....

[FogerRox]

30. I didnt know-- WOW thanks for sharing and yes . . . . . . . . . . . . .

ONWARD ! ! !

[Keseys Ghost]

33. ONWARD!

We've not yet finished saving Sarah Jane's world.

So much to do; so little time....

[Generic Other]

31. So glad to hear everyone was safe

People were very worried at the time.

[Keseys Ghost]

32. Thank you for your concern

You are among the ones I need to thank...

[Keseys Ghost]

34. It meant so very much to us

We've been criticized for using our contacts to find her. For that, I offer no apologies. She is my daughter. What are contacts for, at the end of the day?

But she stands as a symbol. A symbol of what was lost and what was recovered. Who we are and who we might be.

We are blessed, humbled, and glorified by her survival.

We are radicalized and empowered.

We go ONWARD!

[Swamp Rat]

35. Give a big hug for Sarah from me!

:hug: I remember your search... I was searching for my mother during that time. :hug:

[Keseys Ghost]

36. Love ya, Rat!

How's ya mama?

[Swamp Rat]

37. She's back in Treme

... but unemployed. She was an art teacher but most of the schools are still closed.

[seabeyond]

38. i remember your story. we were all so concerned. there was so

mush going on from all directions. i was very proud to see the networks that worked together as the word got out you were seperated from your daughter. and we were all thrilled and relieved to learn your daughter was found and safe.

enjoy life
peace

[spuddonna]

39. She is so beautiful! :)

I'm so happy that you were reunited! Thank you for sharing such a wonderful picture... peace!

[KittyWampus]

49. Doesn't she look like an angel

just makes me smile to see that pix.

[nofurylike]

40. precious!! gratitude to you, Keseys Ghost!! eom

[yewberry]

41. I'm glad to see her safe and happy.

What a crazy time that was.

DU had so much traffic and craziness at that time that we couldn't search, etc--so I bookmarked a bunch of threads in my browser. I just checked, and they're still there. Yikes.

If you want to see any of those "Katrina" threads, please let me know (caution: they will make you cry!) and I will PM you the links--they have personal info in them, so I don't want to post them.

Best to you and your family. I'm so pleased to hear from you!

Rachel

[Keseys Ghost]

42. I was a weird, violent, crazy time

All I wanted was to hold her again.

I was insane.

Business, property, money...bullshit....

Screw it! Where is my baby?

Trying days....

[yewberry]

43. I can't even imagine.

Not for a second.

Your story was certainly a reminder about what's really important.

[Keseys Ghost]

44. A Warrior Before the Storm and After

[EC]

45. I remember

you were helping Cindy with her legal woes, and found a world of hurt yourselves...


Glad to see her dancing with flowers in her hair....

[Tsiyu]

46. Thank you for the support you showed Cindy

Katrina wiped out that story as well, but you guys were on the "front lines" in Crawford during some trying days.

I was very happy to check in and learn that Sarah Jane was safe and sound. So many were lost that we may never know...


We need happy endings.

Thanks for all you are doing. :hi:

[peacefreak]

48. Your search for Sarah Jane put the human face

to the horrors of both Crawford & New Orleans. One of the things that DU does so well is to humanize the events around us. Cindy Sheehan wasn't just a face on the tube. Sarah Jane & Maddy McCall & Swamp Rat & merh & many more are real people who have shared peices of their lives with us. If you know something about them, you can't do anything but care about what happens to them.
So give that sweet Sarah Jane a hug & tell her the story about how she had thousands of Aunties & Uncles worried about her during that big, bad, horrible storm. Blessings. Peacefreak

[Acebass]

50. Your forgetting someone aren't you?

Smudge the Cat!

[WestHoustonDem]

51. I'm glad things turned out so well

A big hug from Houston's Vast Left Wing Conspiracy!

[Ilsa]

52. I remember when this happened to your family last year.

It is easy to question and doubt an outcome when you are out of touch with your precious little one. She is beautiful and looks to be a very happy little girl.

I thiank you for your support of Cindy when she needed it. I don't blame you for not wanting to take Sarah there. I live in Tx, and August is Hell.

[bonito]

53. Your little one's smile is priceless.

Peace

[brainshrub]

54. Awww... adorable!

Onward!