"Bathe my skin in water cool and cleansing, and feel, feel what it's like to be new."

[shimmersong]

It's 5 am in the morning, and I've been awake now for nearly an hour and a half. I think I wake up earlier every day, although whether from the time change or the constant fears and worries inside my head, I'm not sure. So now here I am, sitting in my dark motel room as Sean sleeps in the bed next to the chair I'm sitting in, and the cats run

Comments

[deirdreeurydice]

::HUGS:: I hope so too, baby

[shimmersong]

You are the bestest girl ever. *hugsbacktoyou*

We were so glad we got to see you on Wednesday, and so sad to have had to leave. Thank you so much for your response here, it totally made me feel all warm and fuzzy. Love you, my dear. We WILL see you sometime soon - I don't know how, but it'll happen.

[bongirl5]

'Scuse me while I geek out about NM here for a minute. OMG SANTA FE AND GALLUP!! WHEEE!!!!!!! My aunt used to live in Gallup, up until a few months ago when she moved to Albuquerque, and I wish I could have told you a couple of good places to go while there. Or at least some of the wonderful history behind the town of Gallup. If you two wind up moving to New Mexico, there's a VERY strong chance that I would move there too. My heart has always felt like it belongs there, and I have lots and lots of family there too. The thing that always held me back though, was the lack of friends in NM. But if you two were there.....well hell...no reason NOT to go. Not that I want to leave Southern California, but it's just so damn expensive. When I eventually move out, it might become a fast reality that I can't afford to stay here

[shimmersong]

So yes, NM rules! I totally forgot that your family are from NM and how much you love it there. I would be so excited if we ended up close to each other. We are now at Ron and Jeanie's, but just for tonight, and then we drive up to Santa Barbara to my parents' house for the next week. Lucky for you, though, we have a long time to spend here in CA, so we will be back down here at the Freese residence next weekend, and will probably be here for about a week or so (or maybe longer? I don't plan that far out at this point.), so it appears that we will have much time to see you and visit. I can't wait to see you, and I know Sean feels the same. Feel free to give us a call on our cell phones, or as of tomorrow evening, you can probably reach us at my mom and dad's house, (805)967-7929, for the rest of the week. We'll definitely be able to set something up. And you're totally free to geek out about NM. ;)

[anonymous]

Shimmer, I'm really not sure what to say. Your writing has always entranced me, and it's no different here, your soul laid bare yet so exquisitely expressed. I almost feel like I'm intruding, reading this, and yet I want to know how you are, what you're feeling, so I intrude. My heart aches for you, and I wish I could give you a big hug and hold you while you cry. I wish I could somehow make it easier, but I guess it's like any grief, and will only ebb with time.

Gentle hugs,
Christine/Rogue Gal

[shimmersong]

You are always free to intrude, Rogue. My feeling is that these are my uncensored thoughts, and if I am allowing anyone to better understand what it's been like for those of us from New Orleans (and other areas of the Gulf) who managed to evacuate, then it's worth baring my soul in a public area. I have been so lucky, though, as there are so many others who are much, much less fortunate than Sean and I. I am grieving for my city, but I also grieve for my friends and neighbors who were not blessed with help as I have been. Thank you so much for your kind thoughts and wishes. I am sure that this, too, shall pass, and Sean and I will come out of it stronger than ever. *hugs*

[shnoodybugg]

The cleansing of worries; how amazing you could be there to share it, perhaps the town can become a part of the healing process.
Let me know where I can send you guys money, really. Since the Red Cross seems to be a bit confused (i can't believe they turned you away!) I'll have to put my investigative journalism skills to good use...
I am glad you made it safe to California, it's the journey that makes you stronger, not the destination.

This too shall pass.
much love,
Katie

[shimmersong]

As always, thank you so much for your positive thoughts and wanting to help us, Katie. We just checked our bank account this morning, though, and found that FEMA has, in fact, supplied us with assistance. We are so thankful - not only for the assistance from FEMA, but for friends like you. We'll be here for a little while - is there any possibility that we could see you while we're here in CA?

bien sur!

[shnoodybugg]

Of course I would love to see you two! Just let me know what you would prefer: meeting half way, driving down (or rather West), or me driving up :) You probably want to take it easy on the driving so I don't mind meeting up wherever you are. I just need a bit of advance notice for work (they're being anal right now because of the Governor's election--the girlyman that he is) so I can call in sick or request time. I make my own schedule though so it's easy to rearrange.

namaste,
~Katie

[whiteotter]

Oh, honey. Of course she was crying because she was sad to see you go. Don't you know how much people love both you and Sean, how important you are to others

[shimmersong]

I love you, Otter. Can't wait to see you in October - I feel so blessed that you will be in our wedding, and that you are my friend. Have no fear about our friendship fading - whether we're in Santa Fe or New York City, you're always welcome in our house and I'm sure we have many adventures (the kind that don't involve hurricanes) ahead of us.