chris's parents

thanks everyone for your emails regarding chris's
family and the recent disaster in mississippi and new
orleans. as of right now chris's family has sustained
minimal damage. his parents had some trees and limbs
fall which hit the fence surrounding the dog yard and
their house; some shingles also blew off the roof and
some lights on their back porch were broken. they have
had no power for the past few days and it's hot, so
you know how that goes. some friends from the coast
have been staying at their place until they can go
home (if they have a home to return to). so whetever
damage the reids face is nothing in comparison to what
their friends will see when they go home.

the grandmothers are ok as well and i think they got
power back yesterday. the family closer to the coast
are also fine. we're still trying to get in touch w/
friends in mississippi and new orleans, but we expect
it'll be a long while before we hear from them.

thanks again for your thoughts and prayers. this is
all so crazy. chris's parents said that the shelters
in vicksburg are all full and that some of the casinos
have started letting people sleep in their hallways
and lobbies. i know that there are a lot of stories in
the media of looting in N.O. and stuff, but i really
feel that, just like during 9/11, there are more
untold stories of heroism and kind-heartedness during
this rough time.