The Heartwarming Tribute To Louisiana You’ve Got To Read

This is making the rounds on Facebook, and it’s one of the best things we’ve seen about the flooding in South Louisiana. We thought we’d pass it along – it’s a letter to Louisiana from a woman in Arkansas whose two children moved here for college and life…

Teresa Shaffer Sillivan to Louisiana Flood Rescue – August 2016

Dear Louisiana,

In 2005 my daughter announced she wanted to go to LSU after graduating to further her education. I was more than puzzled by this because we had no ties to Louisiana. None, not so much as a second cousin twice removed.

Quickly I found myself glued to the tv, The Weather Channel to be exact as I watched in horror as Katrina slowly and mythologically moved into the gulf. It was at 2:30 in the morning when I realized Katrina now a cat 5 hurricane would forever change our lives and the lives of many. It was the longest week of my life waiting for her to return home and I just knew for sure her adventure away from home was over. I mean surely she didn’t want to go back! Go back to what? But she did. I couldn’t understand or comprehend her love for a culture she knew nothing about. I kept thinking it was just a phase and she would “come to her senses” and come back to Arkansas, come back home. But instead my son has decided he too wanted to relocate to Louisiana.

So now let’s fast forward to 2016. I’ve just spent the second longest week of my life glued to the tv again. Yes you guessed it, The Weather Channel. But this time I have two kids with their spouses and three grandchildren that I’m worrying for. That’s a whole different level of anxiety. But I’ve watched as the people of Louisiana came together and resolved to not let the rain put them down. You Have organized and carried out one of the most courageous and monumental feats I have ever witnessed. You have come together to save one another. Friends, neighbors and strangers alike. It didn’t matter who you were if you were in need help was on the way. Social media aided in this because you see the rest of the world was unaware of the magnitude of the situation our neighbors in the south were facing. The media was not interested. It wasn’t a story they could paint ugly, spin hate out of. A story to blame a group or a race or a political party. It wasn’t news worthy. But in fact it was a story of love. A story of how life is supposed to be. How a state lives “to love thy neighbor.” I watched as you looked for lost family reuniting them. I watched as you plucked them out the waters that seemed to be swallowing up their lives. I watched you feed the hungry. I seen you come together in a way that most can’t even understand.

I finally get it. I honestly understand why my kids love and live the Louisiana way. Thank you for taking them in and loving them as your own. I write to you as I head that way. I’m coming to help in any way I can. After all I have quite the investment here. Louisiana holds my life’s treasures and I’m proud they call you home.

I’m sorry our government doesn’t get it. I’m sorry the media that could help so much doesn’t get it. I’m sorry you have gone unnoticed by some. But trust me, you aren’t forgotten. You have each other and that is enough.

Much love and admiration,
An Arkansas mom

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