On a recent beautiful Saturday afternoon in Manhattan, an upper west side hotspot was temporarily commandeered by New Orleans ex-patriots and evacuees alike in search of a good time for a good cause. Prohibition, a slick 1920s-themed bar, graciously opened its doors and donated drinks to make the Katrina relief party a success. The bleating horns and boistrous rhythms of New Orleans party jazz poured out of the bar's sound system and spilled into the street, where al-fresco diners and party-goers enjoyed a rare chance to hear some of the Big Easy's best.

Spearheaded by New Orleans native George Jeansonne, the event was sponsored by NYCNOLAHELP and The Capital Grille. All money raised at the event was graciously matched by The Capital Grille and was given to the Salvation Army. Special thanks are in order for Budweiser, Skyy Vodka, Prohibition, and the Capital Grille for making the event a smashing success.

Where are they?
Will they come back?
What are they doing?
Are they buying new homes?
Are they making new friends?
Are they looking for new jobs and hobbies?
Are they sad?
Are they okay?
Are they in disbelief?
Do they have their stuff?
Are their favorite stores Wal-Mart, Good Will, Target?
Are their kids in new schools?
Will our neighborhoods ever be the same?
Will New Orleans?
Will we ever be the same?
Will I cherish my life in New Orleans?
Will I appreciate all that I had?
All that I have now?
Will I recognize all the kindness that I have encountered over the past few weeks?
Will I always value my life, family and friends?
Will I ever have my circle of friends again?

I believe the answer is YES!

Greetings from New York. It is still warm here. Autumn is trying to push through to the crisp, cool days of October that I always wished for in New Orleans. Of course, it's not as hot as it was in Lafayette last week. Till and I flew in for a few days with our dog Motor in tow. Work was super busy in September (the photography career I have been dreaming of for the past 10 years has finally arrived), but all I can think about is all ya'll.

      It has been hard being away while all this is going on. But our visit was great. I took my one-eyed father to his eye doctor at Oschner on Jefferson Hwy. Then Sheriff Pat Gootee got us through the checkpoints to Orleans Parrish. We drove down Canal Blvd to Filmore, then to 6861 Milne. I got in, got some of Mom's stuff, and said goodbye. We drove over to Esplanade and went to the French Quarter. It was beautiful. Very clean and a little too quiet, but there nontheless. It gave me so much hope.

     Since this trip, I haven't cried or been upset (not like before). I thought that seeing my home in ruins and my family in a strange new house would only make me sadder, but it hasn't and I have finally realized why. The night Till and I got in town I cooked dinner in the new kitchen. There were some wine, a fridge full of beer, and the smell of roasting garlic. Ryan and Dad watched the LSU game. Mom played with Gracie, Sara visited with Laurie and Ryan Mayer. Derek and Michael, even though away from their families, made us laugh. Till chased Motor. My home was around me and in me and if I closed my eyes we could have been at 6861 Milne. Later that night, Till told me that he didn't know of many families that, after losing everything, would have the spirit and the love and the laughter he saw in the kitchen that evening. So when I walked over sludge soaked floors and fallen ceiling and artifacts of a different life, I was OK. It was not our home anymore. The spirit and life our our family is no longer in that house. Our visit was too short and I cannot wait to go back to Louisiana- wherever that may be: Lafayette, Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Port Allen, who cares. I just want to be where my family is because that is where my home will always be. I love you all very much.

P.S. Damn! I made myself cry again!....