March 7, 2010 @ 2:37 pm
Curing the Coast
There are some states tremendously underrated. Before everyone jumps up and declares it’s indeed their state, let’s just go right ahead and reveal this greatness before truly beginning the post. It’s Mississippi (which you probably saw at the top of the entry-oh well, I was going for the shock effect-not too effective clearly). Anyhow, it’s absolutely stunning, this state. First of all, it’s green, from top to bottom. The trees are big, full, begging to be climbed. The roads are quaint, the streets inviting, and then you see the coast, the magnificent coast. Waves collapse gently over one another, and to see the easy movement of the water entertains even the most anxious of all people. The best of both worlds screamed at me, and I was in love, absolutely in love.
I arrived at Back Bay Mission to an incredibly warm welcome and immediately received a top-notch tour. As I met the different people, wonderful people, I learned all about this organization. For nearly 90 years, they’ve focused on compassionately serving the poor, the overlooked, and strived for social justice for all. In times of need, this group has helped so many pick themselves up, and work to make their tomorrows brighter. Molding futures on the concept of, “Give a man a fish, you’ve fed him for today. Teach a man to fish, and you’ve fed him for a lifetime,” they’ve provided countless a place to call home; a place to raise their children, a place to bake apple pies and celebrate birthdays. In short, they’ve enabled people to flourish with a feeling of worth, independence and confidence, and since Hurricane Katrina, it’s no surprise that they’ve been very, very busy.
As we walked into the various offices, and I listened to the testimonies of this great organization, one in particular, continues to haunt my thoughts. We often hear how people prey on those experiencing times of desperation, but we never truly think it can happen in our nation, by our people. Unfortunately however it does, and following the incredible tragedy suffered by the Gulf Coast, as people were stranded, no place to sleep, property owners increased rental prices over 40 percent in some cases. It leaves me completely overwhelmed, ashamed even; the greed that consumes some people. I wonder how they see themselves, how they sleep at night, yet sadly, I’m quite certain it gives them little pause.
After my introductions and learning the truths about what Back Bay accomplishes, I was treated to a wonderful lunch with some amazing people. Jennifer, with her husband, was visiting Biloxi for the fourth time, volunteering to help in any way necessary. Over soup and crackers, we talked about their children, their home in Ohio, and their desire to help others. They were warm, they were generous, they were dedicated to this worthy cause. Shortly after, lunch was over (delicious), and I was on my way to the home on which I would eventually be working.
As we pulled up to the house, it definitely looked as though it could use some retouching (or entirely painted, maybe), and I was ready to get started.
After enduring winds of up to 175 mph, this home was blown several blocks away from where I was presently standing. Utilizing her entire insurance reimbursement, the owner had it moved to its current location. With no resources remaining however, her ravaged home sat vacant, few walls, and with the rubble and lingering heartache indicative of these great storms. I arrived at the entry way, met everyone and was offered a bucket of ecru colored paint and paintbrush, and then was assigned to painting the edges of the various rooms and closets. I stepped from place to place, moving up and down, back and forth; stained hands blended colors, and slowly, with every stroke, a home was forming once again.
I stepped back and looked at my closet. I thought about her shoes, his suits, the pieces that would one day complete this small room and I smiled. In the great scheme of restoring a home, I’ve found that the painting requires somewhat less effort than other elements of the job, and yet the outcome is generally the most pleasing. It indicates total completion, total success, and the end to an often very long journey.
With the end of my day rapidly approaching, Jennifer drove me along the breathtaking coast in Biloxi. As the seagulls hovered and natives strolled, it’d be hard to know that nearly five years ago, this place was in total destruction. The hard work was apparent and progress had been made. The newly restored lighthouse that just recently reopened gave the citizens a sense of normalcy. The destroyed live oak trees that once provided shade and comfort, had now been carved into beautiful masterpieces, welcoming tourists and old friends, forever reminding us of the hurricane that changed the life course of so many, and ideas and opinions for us all.
After making our way toward Back Bay, I packed my car, bid my farewells, and headed for Louisiana. As I was leaving the parking lot, I glanced right then left, and the Back Bay Mission banner became more noticeable as the incredibly poignant words stared back at me, “Do justice, love kindness, walk humbly.” I thought for a minute. Justice provided, not as we interpret it, but the kind of justice that’s truly right, for the strong and the weak. Kindness, as kindness for one inspires kindness for all. And walking humbly, because until every facet of our world is growing, our work isn’t finished; perfection is not yet reached.
Everyday, Biloxi is making strides; strides toward achieving the strength of their past, and the knowledge necessary for a better future. I know they’ll continue to prosper and with Back Bay Mission helping them, cheering them on, this city is truly coming into its own once again. I thank them for allowing me a window to this amazing community, for sharing invaluable lessons, but above all I thank them for their kindness, as this is not merely a word on a headline. It’s in their work, it’s in the way they help others, and to them, it’s a way of living profoundly, with substance, and with total happiness.
Note: To Dena, who was so generous in every instance, and to Jennifer, who made Biloxi, simply a dream
