Sounds like the first year or so everywhere else. And this is four years later, and (with all due respect) may not get substantially better with parish leadership as it is. It's so different than anyplace else in the area because it's a small parish and it was entirely destroyed. In every other parish, even Plaquemines, some areas were relatively unscathed and were able to provide support and a revenue stream. In St. Bernard, there was such devastation, and that's hard for any government to handle if they aren't trained and experienced in disaster. I've been reading the paper, and you're right, it doesn't look good. They're now trying to limit the rentals in the parish because even people who've fixed it up aren't wanting to live there?

Don't stay in the next evacuation. Go, and use every resource you can to keep going. Your parents are free to make the choices they make, but you can't help them if you are in bad shape yourself. You sound so resigned. Don't go gentle into that good night. You do have options. There are people who even now will help you get a start somewhere else.

The parish will come back, especially now MRGO is gone. It's been there for forever, and it's not going to go away. But not everyone is suited to be part of a recovery. There's nothing wrong with that.

Ok, my mom hat is off now and I'll quit nagging. I understand the ties of home and family. I just also know how easy it is to start to feel like you have no choices.