The End

Last weekend, while writing the previous post, I realized that when I was in New Orleans, while writing weekly updates fairly faithfully I had to recognize what was significant enough to share with those who might read this, which caused me to reflect on the events of the week. I like to write and enjoyed blogging. To continue to write a blog about my experience in New Orleans now that I have been back in Philadelphia for five months is neither practical nor healthy.

I enjoyed this blog and will continue to look at it from time to time. This is likely to be my last entry though. I am starting a new blog, a new chapter. It is time to move on. Concluding this blog and beginning a new blog is a way to ritualize moving forward and in writing a new blog I will have to recognize current experiences significant enough to share. It will help me to reflect on my present situation more fully.

I have enjoyed the journey. I continue to be grateful for the experience I had in New Orleans and for all the support I received. The experience of the past year has changed me and will continue to influence me as I move forward. Any new chapter is influenced by the previous one, nevertheless it is new.

I am providing a link to my new blog and invite you there. It is in the list on the right with other links; the link should take you there directly but just in case it doesn't here is the address: http://kmneverydayexperience.blogspot.com/

Thank you! Many Blessings!

Love,
Kathleen

A Year later

I have been very aware that one year ago last Friday I left Philadelphia for New Orleans. I continue to be grateful for the entire experience and continue to miss the city and people I grew to love.

Yesterday I took some time to walk around Philadelphia trying to enjoy the city the way I enjoyed my weekend walks through New Orleans neighborhoods to the French Quarter. While walking a couple of the Marianites I had lived with called my cell phone; they were actually in the Philadelphia airport on their way back to New Orleans. I wanted to get to the airport quickly to see them, but was not able to do so.

While waiting for the next subway train back to my neighborhood, I sat down, cross legged on a metal bench. When I looked up directly in front of me was a large poster that said something about New Orleans and heroes. It was an advertisement for, K-Ville, a Fox television program that takes place in NOLA. Transposed over the characters clothing were a variety of overlapping pictures of New Orleans. I could easily pick out the Crescent City Connection Bridge, a Bourbon Street Sign, and the Central Business District sky line.

I sat and cried.

Now it is autumn once again. As the trees are preparing to release their leaves, may I let go of New Orleans in the ways that are necessary for me to truly be present and peaceful here.

If anyone actually reads this, please keep me in your prayers.
Take care.
Love, Kathleen