Today walking into my place from the back, I noticed a women and three children. The children are new to the neighborhood. How do I know this? Because I am all about a whole bunch of kids playing in a neighborhood. I grew up with it, and am all about getting the neighborhood kids to play together.
"Hi, you guys are new around here! I am Catherine!" I shout, "and I live right here", I point to my place. They smile. " I have a 10 year old boy who loves to play, what about you?" The woman says "Yes, they are new here. They are my neice and nephews. They are from Louisiana...and they love to play too".
Then it hits me. Here, on this street in our town are Katrina outcasts. "Ok" I say without changing my expression. "Brian loves to play...send them down" She smiles as the kids look at me trying to figure out what I am all about. She moves in closer, and I lower my voice. "Do they need clothes?" "They need everything", she says, "...but they won't be here long term". "That's ok" I reply, "Send them down. I think I have boy things they can have and neighbors who are very loving and will help them. There is definately a girl next door who will play with the oldest girl there." She smiles "Thank you".
And they walked on. Katrinas winds have blown all the way to Northern California.
C
