Holidays Add Stress to Hurricane Rita Victims

[southerngale]

Holidays Add Stress To Hurricane Rita Victims

Reported by Associated Press
November 27, 2005 - 12:10PM

By PAM EASTON= Associated Press Writer=

SABINE PASS, Texas (AP) _ Hurricane Rita destroyed this coastal town, where discarded refrigerators and washers are piled along a main drag, trailers sit across the road from where originally anchored, houses have been split in half and some call a tent home.

Ideas on how to keep warm at night or get the next hot meal have become just as important as tackling the task of cleaning up and rebuilding.

But there's added pressure as Thanksgiving passes and Christmas approaches for these and other Texans left homeless by Rita: How to observe holidays when there doesn't seem to be much to celebrate beyond survival.

"I'm scared of the holidays," said 62-year-old Nancy Bossley, who lost her job and part of her home to Rita. "This is the first time in my life that I don't know how I'm going to do the holidays."

Sharon Dawson's dream house and three adjoining apartments were destroyed by Rita.

For now, the 45-year-old is using the Sabine Pass structure she once lived in for storage, but she doesn't have much to store _ other than the canned goods she's gathered in town. Dawson is living in a trailer provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and also has erected a tent on her property.

Cleanup in East Texas has been slow because local governments, some saying they can't even afford to handle a portion of the cost, are waiting for federal assistance.

A computer from one of Dawson's apartments was thrown onto the floor near a bed during Rita, which came ashore near the Texas-Louisiana border in September and kept many from their homes until the following month.

Meanwhile, mold and mildew grew on everything that did survive Rita.

The computer at Dawson's house remains covered in mud and debris. Nearby, some chocolate chips _ once stored in a cabinet _ litter the ground. A platter with a turkey painted on it and some Christmas cookie cutters are in Dawson's front yard, where she put them to dry after she washed Rita's muck off them.

"It's another day," Dawson said of Thanksgiving. "I don't want to sound bizarre or anything, but it's just another day. If you let it get to you, it will."

Bossley, however, is worried as Christmas nears. She says every parent in town shares her concern.

"We are giving one another ideas. We think out loud," she said. "You try to rack your brain to figure out what you did when you were a child growing up _ like Grandma used to string the popcorn. That's something a family can do, and we all know how to do it."

Bossley also has come up with some inexpensive gifts for the town's children, such as jacks and pick-up-sticks.

"You just tend to go back to the olden days, back when you used to make little toys out of different things," she said. "You'd be surprised. You could get a cardboard house. Cut out some little windows. Cut out a door. Put some paper on it and the kids think they have a doll house _ something to play in."

Christmas definitely won't be as elaborate this year, but Bossley thinks if everyone in town pitches in what little they have, it could be special.

"The kids will be not as happy at Christmas as they usually are, but they will be happy," she said. "It's stressful. It is very important to us that our kids get through this without too much emotional pain."

Bossley doesn't expect many will be able to buy Christmas trees but hopes a community tree decorated with strands of lights and ornaments from those who have them could brighten spirits.

"There ain't no sense in moping and crying and whining," said Cindy Davis, 44, whose trailer was damaged beyond repair by Rita. "That don't change anything. You might as well get by and try and be as happy as you can."

Davis agrees, however, that Christmas will be tough this year. She doesn't want her youngest daughter or granddaughter to go without, especially during a year when Davis' youngest child has had to sleep between two adults to stay warm at night.

The Davis family has been living in a tent since Rita. They're awaiting a trailer the federal government says it will provide.

"You're thinking: 'Financially, how am I going to be able to pull this off?"' Bossley said, referring to the Christmas gifts she'd like to buy. "I've got nine grandkids, and I want to make sure each one of them gets something."

Without a job, though, Bossley and others in worse situations just aren't sure how they'll do it. But they're remaining positive.

"We will make it through the holidays," she said. "And we'll make it through with a smile on our faces, because we're not going to let this storm get us down and we're not going to let it ruin our holidays. We're not going to let it ruin our town."

Once Christmas is over, there's one holiday worth looking forward to: New Year's.

"To me, it is going to be like a new beginning," Bossley said. "I'm hopeful."

http://www.kfdm.com/engine.pl?station=k ... local.html

[HurryKane]

There have been debates in the Sun Herald Sound Off about whether or not to put up Christmas lights this year. The majority think yes--I've only seen one person say that it would "remind people of what they don't have" or something to that effect.

It has been reported that the Santa Clauses near here have been getting a lot of requests for homes.

[arkess7]

AAAWWWW !!!! My thoughts and prayers are with all yall that have suffered from this crazy season......I hope all of you try and have good holidays at this time of year!!!

[Jagno]

I have alot of people, who suffered only minor damage, say that they felt so guilty and would not put out their Christmas decorations out of respect for those of us who lost it all. My personal response was "Please don't do that. Out of respect for us please share your blessings with us by allowing us to see your beautiful lights and a hint of normalcy. Most of us do not own anymore Christmas memories or just plain do not have room for anything in a tiny apartment or feema trailer so seeing your lights brings so much joy to those of us who can't display our Christmas spirit."

Please, if you live in a hurricaine stricken area, share your Christmas with us by allowing us to see your holiday spirit.

[Javlin]

Hey mine are not quite as elaborate as pass years but about 70%.For me it was the testament life goes on esp. with a child still in the house.My wife and I almost did not put them out but did.I just could not let Katrina win another one.

[beachbum_al]

This is the way I think.

Put the lights up.


I think everyone along the Gulf Coast States are stressed due to numerous things caused by the active hurricane season. I think what people need is a little cheer. I know it will not make up for all what has happen to people along the coast.

I wish I could do something to help. I know a lot of people have lost everything including years and years of Christmas ornaments and memories.