Still getting back into things

Hi all!

Well, I've been home for over one week now, and I'm still trying to get my feet on the ground. It's been pretty weird. Even though I've was only (!) there for two weeks, I find myself experiencing a fair amount of PTSD symptoms. Minor stuff, but still somewhat troublesome. I continue to be very tired. Sometimes the slightest sound or smell will take me back to Mississippi. Lots of other stuff, too. I've managed to get a massage and see my therapist, and both of those sessions have helped tremendously. My family and I also went on a nature hike on Sunday at Penitentary Glen - part of the Lake County Metroparks - it was very beautiful in the woods, and the fall continues to soothe me.

I just began writing out my experiences from the journal that I kept. I experienced a great deal of resistance in writing it out, and, procrastinator that I am, put it off for several days. I'm finally getting down to work, and the journal is already bringing back memories that I've forgotten.

As always, an interesting process.....

A cool article about the food at the SeaBee Camp

Hi all:

I'm still putting things into perspective here at home. I was looking up some Katrina information on the web, and came across this article that describes the food I got to eat at the Seabee base.

The article mentions a guy named Gary Stewart, who I had the pleasure and priviledge of meeting. Gary welcomed us home each and every night, with a rousing recitation of what was on the evening's menu. I can't even begin to tell you how much I looked forward to seeing Gary's face each night. (If anyone out there knows Gary, thank him profusely and buy him a beer for me...).

I was there for the margarita night, and it was awesome....

here's the article:
http://www.idahostatesman.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051004/NEWS01/510040360/1001/NEWS

Home on Sunday

Hi all! I've been home for two days now, and still adjusting....(I imagine 'adjusting' will take some time). I find that I am very, very, very tired, and that doing even small things tires me out even more. I'm also experiencing a lot of the typical stress-related symptoms - finding it difficult to concentrate, not wanting to be around crowds of people, etc. I know what the symptoms are, but experiencing them is still weird.

It's been wonderful to see my kids and my wife - I've missed them greatly. I got on the Aikido mat yesterday for a short practice, and that felt good too.

All in all, I'm just winding down a bit. I'm hoping to spend some time this week editing my journal and then I can post it - and pictures - on the web for all to see.

:-)

Tim is coming home !

For the last 2 days tim has been on the Sea Bee's base helping where he can. He has helped talk to other workers who might be having touble coping with what is going on in the south ( wait til they see what is going on in Washington D.C.!) Tim has worked long hours usually 6:30 Am to 1 am. He is taking brakes and pacing himself so he does not burn out. I for one ( patrick) cannot wait to hear the stories of what Tim Witnessed there. - He flies out on Friday.

Patrick

Oct 3rd - Monday

Tim gave a quick call and said that from what he has seen, the South needs 4-5 times as many mental and medical Doctors as possible! So if you are on the fence about helping out, or thinking there is too much help right now, Please give it another thought.

Patrick

Sunday night. Oct 2

Tim called just now. He spent the day working in Kiln Mississippi ( Map) Tim was working with families that have moved up there from Bay St. Louis ( map) Which, I guess was wiped out! So They are setting up trailer homes for about 400 families. Tim is doing alright, drinking lots of water because of the heat and trying to help all he can. Tim said this place hit the trifecta in disasters, First Katrina, then Rita, then tornados! Tim said he was ok but you can hear in his voice that he has a lot to process about what is down there.

Patrick

Saturday Oct 1st

Saturday, Oct. 1st
(From Mary)
Tim called around 9:15 the morning. His cell reception was good. After just four days(?) it seems
like he has experienced enough already for a lifetime. His take on the American Red Cross is that they are amazing, organized and doing SO much to bring relief to the area and yet, in the same breath, they can be floundering, dis-organized and have SO many more things that they could be doing.
Seems like an ARC volunteer's experience can vary from sleeping in an air conditioned hotel room to sleeping in the back of a UHaul truck without a shower for two weeks!

Tim mentioned some other groups that are working alongside the ARC down there - the Scientologists, and a group of Smoke Jumpers (firefighters who parachute in to combat fires and carry supplies). Turns out the Smoke Jumpers bring their own caterers and portable shower facilities when they travel, so Tim and the others have been enjoying well-cooked meals of BBQ ribs, Prime Rib and shrimp, cajun dinners, etc. as well as being able to use the shower unit (he described it as a mobile home constructed as a shower house).

Part of Tim's support network, consisting of John from Illinois and Theresa from Alaska continue to be stationed in the same area (even if they go their separate ways in the field during the day). They seem to be able to provide much needed processing time to one another. Tim also mentioned a fantastic ally he met, a Chaplain named Michael(?) from DC who had been, working to support a rather large area by himself. Tim remarked that Michael's sense of humor and perserverance was a bright spot for him, even though Michael has since returned home after a four(?) week stint.

Tim seemed steady and determined, as the rock that he is. Seemingly able to hold his own sense of being overwhelmed at bay so he can be there for others. He doesn't have internet access currently, but we'll continue to keep everybody posted through Patrick's ingenuity. He's got seven days and, I'm sure, a lifetime of experiences left.

Sending best wishes of courage and positive energy - Mary Eliz.