Family in Cameron Parish

My Taunte Bernice (Taunte means "Aunt"), my mother's sister, and N'onc Richard (N'onc means "Uncle") live in Cameron with their family. We have not heard from them since the storm hit. Without a doubt their home has been destroyed.

Taunte Bernice is a bit eccentric, but in a good way. I'm just hoping that she isn't so eccentric that she would choose to stay. N'onc Richard, if this is still the case, works offshore a great deal, so hopefully he was home and got everyone out.

I've always had a special affection for Taunte Bernice. When I was a child my brother Charlie died tragically in an automobile accident. I crisply remember the day of the burial and how my army of family laid him to rest in the family cemetery (hopefully not under water) at the end of a long gravel road lined with our families homes and next door to the house where she and my mother were raised. One of the most poigniant memories of that day was of my Taunte Bernice, who wrote a poem for Charlie that passed through the hands of many that day.

I had never heard of poetry before, much less seen any, and I remember that the very idea of such an effort, from the perspective of a child, made her an exotic and mysterious figure capable of strange magic. For that, I knew she was special, and accordingly will always be special to me.

Being that we have not heard from her in the 2 days since it hit, I am concerned. I hope that she and her family are OK. The idea of writing verses for her is an ugly thought, and I chastise myself for entertaining it.

Here is a picture of my Sister Linda and brother-in-law Joey (with them is my cousin Rachel). You won't meet two human beings who are more impressive or engaging.They have a home in Cameron Parish as well, near Grand Lake. They have 3 perfect sons, one of which is the only son of my deceased brother (Linda was once married to my brother Charlie, who died several weeks after she gave birth to his son. We consider them immediate family and Linda is just as much a sibling as any of my others).

They bought a camper a month ago, and due to Rita, they are now living out of it. Mom told me that they are in Bossier City, near Shreveport, and that they are all OK.

I feel particularly saddened for their community. They were both King and Queen of their local Mardi Gras in recent years, and were very involved in the area. I know that they live in a precarious position, and I hope that this vibrant area was not completely destroyed.

I will update as I learn more.