Allison, I know you're worried not being there with your family, but I hope they stay safe through Ida and the tornados that are forming. Please keep us up to date as you can.

I volunteered with Habitat for Humanity in St. Bernard Parish after Katrina (I was substantially younger than my now, 65 year-old behind). We slept on Army cots in a school we had to clear and rehab. The damage was at once, mind-blowing and heartbreaking. But I've never felt so humanly fulfilled than when we worked on building a house in the Lower 9th Ward. We'd just started laying the floor when the prospective owner dropped by to see our progress. She came up to me and asked my name (I was the only old, Black female working on my team) and I told her. I'll never forget when she asked for the black, permanent marker I was using to mark the plywood and said, "thank you so much for coming, Ms. Deb. I'm gonna write your name right here by the front door and every time I come home, I'll remember you for caring enough for our people to donate your time and hard work to someone you didn't even know!" We hugged each other as tears ran down both our faces.

I love NOLA and your piece is dead-on about what happened there. Take care of yourself, Sis. If there's anything I can do, don't hesitate to let me know.