They had carefully closed all the storm shutters and locked up the house. It was just another hurricane warning. You learned to live with those when you lived in this part of the country. Their waterfront home had been built on stilts in order to give any potential flooding and storms a place to rage underneath. It was a good, solid structure.
They had driven away - a little apprehensive - but overall feeling that things would turn out all right. They had only taken two changes of clothing with them because of that confidence. But when Linda and Patrick McGovern returned to their * Waveland, Mississippi property they found 1 scarf, 2 Christmas ornaments, 1 wrought iron baker’s rack and 2 tall, branchless and leafless dead trees – but no home. Everything had been erased and replaced by a force of salt water and mud. Even the baker’s rack (which had been part of Linda’s daughter’s life as a child) was stuck deep in a mud hole.
Linda’s son, Hunter, was killed in a 1991 car accident. He had a very promising life ahead of him with a full scholarship as an engineering student. Linda was very proud of him and loved him very much. All that Linda has of him now are memories. All photos and mementos of Hunter are gone, swept away. As is almost all of Linda’s material life. But she and Patrick (who are in their early 60’s) are alive and courageous. Linda does constantly break out into tears, but she is determined to stay in the area and help others. She was part of a community association and wants to assist that group in anyway she can. Patrick is a very likable, initiative-taking man who is a “Jack-of-all Trades”. He also wants to stay; perhaps rebuild and help.
Both these kind and caring people have nothing now. Their insurance company has told them that it will be anywhere from 3 – 6 months before they may be offered any kind of settlement for their losses. And, of course, there’s no guarantee that they will be offered anything at all (losses due to an “Act of God”, etc.). They are temporarily staying with friends of friends and are anxious to restart their lives.
We want to help them. Cash is the most obvious item but clothes and other basics are needed as well. We also feel that a donated computer and printer (new or used) would be extremely useful. It would allow them to cope better and aid them in assisting their friends and neighbors with the complexities of survival in the modern / primal world that they are now a part of.
Please send checks made out to Kathy Snyder (Linda McGovern’s daughter).
3314 Double Ridge Terrace
Powhatan, Virginia 23139
(Mention Gemini Manor for reference on your check.)
We have never met nor do we know Linda and Patrick. They were referred to us as being good people who are in desperate need. Obviously, they are just two of many thousands who need assistance. Our belief is that by helping them, they can in turn help others around them. A small stone cast into the water, which creates far-reaching, beautiful ripples.
Thank you for caring!
Alexander Lehr
* Waveland is a small community just outside of Gulfport, Mississippi. It is a very quiet and peaceful place. The most exciting thing that normally happens there is an annual summer classic auto and motorcycle festival. Waveland was directly in the path of Hurricane Katrina.