More Than a Job

As the 5th Anniversary of Katrina creeps upon us, my mind goes back 5 years. A lot has happened in 5 years. I was married in December of '05 and moved to Georgia on December 27th '05. Worked for Jane Fonda and met some of her celebrity friends - made some new friends of my own. I purchased a home (with my husband of course), went on a cruise, had a baby, quit my first job, started a new job, joined a church, watched my husband's baptism, witnessed the Saints first Superbowl victory, got my first ticket, and a host of other things. Five years sounds like a long time, but really it goes by in a flash. When I first moved to Georgia, you couldn't tell me that I would be here 5 years - I gave this place 2 years. And though I am in Georgia...I am forever a Louisiana cajun girl. It's embedded in me, it's etched in my soul. I talk it, I walk it...I wear New Orleans on my sleeves...I bear it on my shoulders - I can't help it - It's home.

But as I reminisce about Katrina - there's one thing that always comes to mind that may surprise you. I always think about my first job out of college, The DDay Museum (as it was called then) now The National World War II Museum.

I remember that Friday when everyone else had left their jobs and was beginning their weekend, I was working. We had a WWII quiz night (and I forgot the correct name for this event). But I always really enjoyed working events at the DDay Museum because I knew I would be fed and have some wine. We would always have fun - well I would. But earlier that day I made a joke to Nick Mueller's assistant at the time (whose name was Katrina) - I told her don't come to New Orleans messing with us - go back to Florida. We both laughed it off. As the night whined down we all went our separate ways and gave our "have a good weekend - see ya Monday" goodbyes. Not knowing that would be the last time I would see some of those faces.

Friday when I arrived home, I had spoken to one of my friends, Cristina, who was a bridesmaid in my wedding. The bridesmaid dresses had come in and we were going to the shop the next day - being Saturday - to pick up her dress. She called me and said, "We're gonna have to go next weekend cause looks like the hurricane is coming this way." I know she can't be serious I thought...when I looked at the news this morning it was going to Florida.

That same night my husband (my fiance at the time) and I went to the Sonic on Veterans and it was crazy packed. The gas stations were jammed from one end to the next. When I saw this, I know it's serious. My brother called me on the phone and asked what were we going to do. I told him I don't know, we'll wait until tomorrow.

Saturday came and I went to the grocery store for something - I can't remember - but it was packed. People were buying all the water, bread, vienna sausages, batteries, etc... When I arrived back home, Pharaoh was like Shannon we have to go...like right now...the storm is coming straight to New Orleans. He had already talked to his mom and sister and they were all heading out that day. He made the arrangements with a hotel in Galveston, TX for my family and his. I had to call my mom and see what she was doing. So Pharaoh decided that he would pick up his mom and sister and head out that Saturday night. In the meanwhile I searched for my parents and my cousin Alana. I knew we would evacuate because that's what we did. We never waited around for the city's mandatory evacuation call. I was trying to reach my mom, but the phones were busy - I couldn't get through to anyone. Then I remembered she was at a funeral that day at O.L.G., so I drove my butt to Reserve to find my mom. Oddly enough I found her, but she didn't see me. So I followed her and got her on the phone, in which she tells me that she's going to my Aunt Bunny's house to get something to eat. I tell her, we need to go, the hurricane is coming straight to New Orleans. She's shocked...I'm shocked that she's shocked because my mom watches the news 24-7. So we all left out that Sunday morning (me, my parents, Alana and her 2 kids, my Aunt Bunny and her 2 kids).

Watching the news was heart wrenching, but at first it didn't look that bad. We all thought we could go on back home. But then the levees gave way..............

Trying to call people on the phone was like a dog chasing his tail. Hurricane Katrina taught my mom how to text message. I finally got in touch with some people from my job and we decided to do weekly conference calls with our Department.

The next few months would be trying. Me and my fiance had to move back in with my mother, we weren't working (actually going to a physical building), there was no housing, trying to reach FEMA to get assistance, on the phone holding, Red Crossing, Food Stamping, electricity at mom's house keep going out, no stores open, no water, no ice, no bread, no milk, when stores finally opened their only allowing so many people in at a time. This was only the half of it. Trying to find friends and loved ones, insurance companies, flies, big ASS mosquitos, time, time, time, time, time steadily passing, yet it felt like we were standing still. All of this and I'm trying to plan a wedding for December 9th. How am I suppose to do this. Maybe this is a sign that I shouldn't get married...maybe this is a sign.

But through all this, on a weekly basis, I would look forward to hearing from my co-workers. Before the meeting, we'd discuss FEMA and insurance companies and our families...it was great. The Museum unfortunately had to let 60% of the staff go, but they kept the Development team, Accounting, and the History Dept (and a few others I think).

The Museum wouldn't open up for a while - but we got word that the staff was to report to work in October (I forget the date - I think it was the 6th or the 10th). I didn't know how to feel about this. I had not been to work in so long I had gotten used to not doing anything. I guess I didn't realize that I was depressed. Driving back to the Museum was soooo hard - the city looked deserted and desolate, forgotten and untold. I cried as I drove pass the Superdome. I cried hard - uncontrollably. I had to get myself together, I was almost at work. Driving on the streets was strange - it felt unsafe because I didn't see one face...only police cars and army trucks. I felt like a stranger in my own home. I cried more...get it together Shannon, your always the strong one.

My stomach ached walking up to the building where the Development offices were located. As I walked in - a load was lifted. I saw Stephen, and Trish, and Joe and I hugged them all. It was the best feeling to see them all - BREATHE.... I felt a little bit of normality in my life although things were far from normal. So everyday I would go to work - even if I didn't have as much to do - I WENT TO WORK. And when everything in my world had just been turned upside down, that part was right side up.