Reflections

Inspirational song: Two Tickets to Paradise (Eddie Money)

The grand adventure has come to a close. I'm riding back from the airport with Barley's head resting on my shoulder. (Actually, it's Barley's head in a cone on my shoulder--there was a vet visit while we were gone.) We are sharing a few details of the experience with T while he takes us home, but there's still a lot to absorb before I can properly do it justice. This was a world I had never inhabited before, and it was a bit overwhelming.

On our final morning there, the man who received the RV came by for a final run through of all the systems, and to receive the ownership documents. After his review of all the switches and valves, he and the Mr unloaded his car into the RV. It was packed solid with everything he had left, and everything that had been donated since the fire in early November. For the first time in five weeks, he had a place he could lock, where he could actually access all these things. Much better than the cot in the dormitory where he had been until tonight.

Before we left, he walked us through the Red Cross camp, where the dorms and animal shelters were. There were services tents and campers, like the Verizon trailer with one entire wall dedicated to device chargers in cubbyholes. There was a trailer with sinks in a row, where people could wash their hands with warm water. Apart from the regular rows of port-a-potties, there were special ones for use by anyone who needed to vomit. Norovirus has been a problem, with people living in close quarters, under stressful conditions that weaken immune systems.

It's so much to think about, what it takes to care for a whole displaced town. Services and security and order. They set up a school, but I never saw children playing. They had to segregate the chronically homeless from the evacuees. They have to call the cops sometimes, when people bring weapons and syringes into camp. They have curfews. None of this is easy. No one is enjoying this. But it is infinitely better than nothing.

Tomorrow I will sort my pictures, and see what is appropriate to share.