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After seeing such hatred in GD (and some leaking into the lounge) last night, I only feel safe posting this here, and maybe one other place on DU.
Anyway, the majority of my family is from NOLA. My grandmother was born there, grandfather, his sisters, mother, etc. all born there. I no longer have relationships w/much of my family--but still ache for the fact that my ancestor's graves have been destroyed. That they are out there, floating about--unsettled and uncared for, in all the chaos. That a part of me is relieved that my great grandmother didn't live to see this in her lifetime.
I can never pay my respects to my ancestors, or visit their graves. They no longer exist.
I mourn for a city I've grown up loving from afar. I looked forward to someday visiting, looking up family, tracing my history, eating the food I've grown up loving, and enjoying the city with my husband. Sharing with him, a part of the heritage I am proud of.
I make cobblers, red beans and rice, and jambalaya for his work pot-lucks. Heck, more frequently than that, they never seem to get enough of that food--lol. He's always so proud to show off his wife's cooking. His co-workers always appreciative and generous with compliments--asking for recipes that I can never share. But thrilled that they want to know.
I know in my heart people I am related to, have lost their homes, their city, their ancestry--maybe even loved ones. I don't need to hear it, I feel it in my soul. I ache with the knowing.
Today I just cried and cried, finally finding the words and feelings I couldn't describe all these days.
Thank you for allowing me to say this here. Thank you ALL for allowing some refuge from some of the ignorance and insensitivity. I appreciate it more than I can find the words to say...
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