Got Me Trippin’
We know now that Nikki, of Jackson, MS, is safe. Yolie has reached her father, who is in New Orleans and was too busy to call because he was helping others in their time of need. I heard from Serenity23, of Baton Rouge. She is safe and had friends from New Orleans staying with her. Thank goodness they’re all safe, if not sound.
It’s funny how things happen. Like natural disasters and natural bonds. How after less than a year of blogging, I’ve come to know — and care about — so many individuals that I would never have met if it wasn’t for technology. It’s become an online community. One that shares and gives and allows you to care. I like that. Technology is our friend. And has helped us make friends.
But all the technology in the world right now hasn’t allowed me to hear from the one person I’d love to hear from. Hasn’t allowed me to reach one such friend.
Nope. I haven’t heard from Diggs. And that’s got me trippin’.
True, there are other bloggers from New Orleans, like Gian and Saga. I wonder about them as well. I really wonder about Diggs. Not hearing from her. Just to know she’s alright. She’s become a part of my daily routine. Always hitting me up in the evenings just to say hello, to share a story, to ask for advice, to make me laugh. Her posts border on outrageous, whether it’s her waking up a man or being haunted by the ghosts of Jodeci. She tells about her bad dates and her passions. Little anecdotes about her son, big disclosures about her mom.
That’s Diggs. Heart on her sleeve. A brilliant mind. I’ve never taken her posts for granted. Or her friendship. One of her most recent posts revealed that she’d taken up running. To free her mind and build up her mental and physical stamina. Prepare her for the future. Never could she have thought that she’d be running out of town just a few days later.
Now, I’m not saying that anything’s happened to her. I don’t know. But that’s also my point. I don’t know. So I can’t take anything for granted. Can’t afford to. And that applies to everything in life. Especially around this time of year. It seems that it’s this time of year, every year, when something happens that throws us for a loop. It started with Aaliyah and 9/11, then the blackout two years ago… now Katrina, a hurricane that’s been dubbed “our tsunami” by the mayor of Biloxi, MS.
All I can do is shake my head. And then bow it in prayer for all the families that have lost homes and jobs and loved ones. And realize that it’s just something about this time of year, near the end of summer, the end of the season of supposed fun… something that causes things to occur.
Things that get me to trippin’.
Now it’s Katrina. And Diggs. Since they’ve crossed paths, I can’t get either off my mind. It was just Saturday that we were on IM, her telling me that city officials were talking about an evacuation. She joked that maybe this would help her get her roof fixed. We laughed. Like we always do. Now, four days later… all I can do is hope.
And take nothing for granted.
Nope. I trip instead. Wondering if her and her son are alright. If she has a house to return to when all is said and done.
Not sure. Trippin’.
What I am sure of is that New Orleans and Biloxi and Mobile, Alabama will all bounce back… just like New York did four years ago and like Florida did after the string of hurricanes that riddled its southern cities last year. I’m sure that with all the relief efforts being mounted in their names, the city below sea level and the surrounding cities will be able to see themselves rise in the near future.
All of that I’m sure of. Just like I’m sure that Nikki and Yolie’s family and Serenity are safe, if not sound.
What I’m not sure of is how Diggs is… and what she has to face as she prepares to head back home. If she was able to leave at all.
And not being sure of that one thing… has really got me trippin’.
Will, man. It’s got me trippin’ too. Watching the news footage is heartwrenching. So many families have come here to Atlanta and now, because of gas prices can’t go back home, IF they have homes to go back to.
You now, with every disaster you see it in broad terms until you see someone on TV (or know a someone) with a personal story. Last night made me cry.
To those people who happen to live in the Atlanta area, they are setting up shelters all over the city (Adamsville rec center is one). Over the holiday weekend, try to gather up food, clothing, supplies, SOMETHING and drop those things by.
Sorry for blogging in your comment section, but I’ve been thinking about this all morning too.
Comment by Beloved — 08.31.05 @ 10:54 am
I’m tripping too. I haven’t met her but I am waiting on pins and needles to see if she is alright. To see if she needs help. I pray for her and her son. I feel helpless but hopeful. When she contacts her blog family, I know she will receive an outpouring of love and support. Thanks for posting this, as usual, your writing is so touching.
Comment by Wise Diva — 08.31.05 @ 10:58 am
This whole thing is sad. I’d love to hear that Diggs is okay. I’d love to hear my grandmother and uncle are okay. Hopefully, we’ll have all our yearnings answered soon.
Thanks for putting our worry into words.
Comment by Yolanda — 08.31.05 @ 11:10 am
Me too, this has been an catastrophe, my prayers go out all of the victims. I truly hope that Diggs is ok.
Comment by sun — 08.31.05 @ 11:37 am
What a touching post, I hope that everyone that has been metioned here in the post and in the comments sections are ok, and I am also praying for all the people that this hurricane has effected.
Nicky
Comment by Nicky — 08.31.05 @ 11:37 am
I’m sooo with you on this.
It’s such a scary thought to think that one day, you are living your life like you do…working, living, surviviing, or even struggling to make ends meet. The next day, you can be completely homeless…wiped out with nothing. A natural disaster they call it.
I pray that everyone will find a ray of hope out of this disaster. I hope that Diggs and her son and the rest of the fam in the South are good, or at least will be, and soon.
These kinds of things help you realize that you can’t take anything…or anyone for granted.
Peace.
Comment by Keish, The Producer... — 08.31.05 @ 11:41 am
Will thanks for updating us on folks. I wondered, out here in Arme.nia they’re playing footage of the destruction and although I’m not from that area of the country I can’t help but feel helpless and disconnected being so far away. If you do hear from Diggs please keep us posted.
Comment by Edwige — 08.31.05 @ 11:50 am
I don’t know about any other areas in the south, but in my county some of our local gas stations have begun to run out of gas. I’d suggest that y’all try to fill up ASAP…
Comment by Beloved — 08.31.05 @ 12:12 pm
I feel you. I’m praying nonstop.
Comment by DJ Diva — 08.31.05 @ 12:25 pm
I hope that we hear from Diggs soon. I have been concerned about her myself.
My mother was on pins and needles because my family would have been majorly affected if they hadn’t moved a few months ago. Some of our folks were in Slidell which is probably no more as I type.
Continue to pray.
Comment by Singing — 08.31.05 @ 2:03 pm
Thanks Will. They are all in my prayers.
Comment by Golden — 08.31.05 @ 2:21 pm
my sis just called me they evacuated ALL of New Orleans.
Comment by Golden — 08.31.05 @ 2:26 pm
And I was going to use you as my Diggs update… because I know if she contacted anyone in the blog world… it would be you.
I’m sure she’s okay. They evacuated New Orleans entirely… the husband’s daughter lives there and she is somewhere in Mississippi just waiting to get back home… his son lives in Mississippi and the rest of his family is in Alabama… so this affected him on three levels.
But I said all that to say that since I know that New Orleans was completely evacuated… I’m sure that Diggs left and went whereever she had to go… I have faith that she’s fine.
I just hope her home wasn’t devastated… and that her family is okay…
My prayers are with everyone who was directly affected.
Comment by Xquizzyt1 — 08.31.05 @ 2:46 pm
I’m trippin too. This whole tragedy is just sad…I guess that’s what makes it a tragedy. My husband told me last night as we watched the coverage, that he was wondering why God made this happen like this. I didn’t know the answer. However, we agreed that God has a plan greater than we can ever hope to comprehend. I try to remember that nothing will touch us or our loved ones that isn’t supposed to. Conversely, if something is destined to be, there is nothing we can do to avoid it.
Comment by Safa — 08.31.05 @ 2:49 pm
“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean NOT unto your own understanding.”
GOD’s plans are far greater than what we could comprehend. You never know whose lost soul came to GOD through this tragedy. There may be lost homes, but there are also saved lives. Transformed lives and I truly believe there is a positive movement in this seemingly tragic event.
What I hate is how, on FOX and CNN, they showed black people looting while the white onlookers watched from dilapidated balconies. That CAN’T be an accurate portrayal, but whatever…
Comment by fave — 08.31.05 @ 3:00 pm
My thoughts/prayers go out to everyone affected by this Katrina… It’s shocking that so much can happen so fast! I pray that everyone you mentioned is well, and that they are somehow able to re-build their lives after all is said and done… I can’t even imagine!!!!!
~Thank you once again, for an excellent post. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again… You have a gift! And I thank you for being able to put the words together to say what we all feel!!!!
Comment by Coley — 08.31.05 @ 3:29 pm
Heartwrenching that this has happened, beautiful how it brings everyone together.
Comment by **RPM** — 08.31.05 @ 4:17 pm
Will, I pray as I am writing this to you that you hear from those you want to here from soon.. I know it’s got you trippin’ but keep your head up!
For all who have been affected by this natural disaster I pray that you have strength to move on, I pray for your safety, I pray that you get shelter soon. If you have lost someone due to this natural disaster, I pray that you never feel lost or alone, I pray that you know your special someone will be with you every step of the way, even if their presence is not there to greet you each day. I pray…
Comment by mecrazyme — 08.31.05 @ 7:30 pm
I still haven’t heard from my cousins or my great-grandmother or my great-aunt in south Mississippi along the coastline. Needless to say the Flavors Family is upset. I’m tryng to distance myself from this to not get so upset about it, and I believe that they are okay, but it’s not easy. Here’s hoping Diggs is okay.
Comment by ej — 08.31.05 @ 8:08 pm
When you care for someone, their physical location matters not. They occupy a space in your heart. I hope you hear from her and soon.
Comment by Chele — 09.01.05 @ 12:53 am
I really hope that girl is okay. I agree with you. Diggs is totally brilliant and unique. I can’t imagine what she has to face in the future going back home, but I’m just hoping she and boog are okay right now.
I emailed my aunt from N.O. today. She’s fine, staying in Houston right now with my cousin, but she says she worries what will be left of the “home” she has to go back to. That’s so deep. I couldn’t imagine. I get so solemn thinking about it all, but I really hope that the places affected by it will be able to pick up the pieces and move on.
BTW, Gian’s fine. He says on his blog that he’s in Dallas (I think).
Comment by Chevonne — 09.01.05 @ 1:49 am
There’s been some miscommunication. New Orleans has not been totally evacuated. Residents are still there, some still waiting to be rescued. My father and sisters are among those still there.
Comment by Yolanda — 09.01.05 @ 10:29 am
WILL-
I AM CRYING OVER HERE!!! I JUST POSTED ON MY SPOT AND I DECIDED TO SEE HOW MY FELLOW BLOGGERS WERE DOING WHILE I WAS AWAY. J-BOOG AND I ARE SAFE…I MADE IT TO MY SISTER’S HOUSE IN BATON ROUGE AFTER STRUGGLING FOR DAYS IN FRANKLINTON WITH NO POWER, NO WATER, AND NO MEANS TO COMMUNICATE WITH MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS. I LOST EVERYTHING BUT…AND I CAN’T STRESS THIS ENOUGH…I AM SAFE, ALIVE AND MY SON CAN’T STOP GIGGLING WITH HIS COUSINS AND RIGHT NOW, THAT’S ALL THAT I CAN ASK FOR. THANK U SOOOOO MUCH FOR THIS POST…THE TEARS JUST WON’T STOP STREAMING. I’LL BE ONLINE AS MUCH AS I CAN, BUT I’M SHARING THIS COMP WITH ABOUT 10 PEOPLE RIGHT NOW, BUT I’LL BE AROUND TO KEEP IN TOUCH WITH AS MANY AS I CAN. I LOVE YA’LL!!!
Comment by DIGGS — 09.01.05 @ 10:47 am
I can’t count the number of salient posts/articles I have read on the hurricaine fallout in the last couple of days. This is no exception. Since all of this happened, I have been struggling to put myself in the place of all of these New Orleans residents who are now without homes. Without possesions. Stripped of normalcy, and in many instances, their lives. And. I. can’t. I simply have no frame of reference for such horror. I guess that’s what makes it so bad…
Comment by Mahogany Elle — 09.01.05 @ 4:00 pm
Hey — scratch the last spelling on the storm. Meant “hurricane.”
Comment by Mahogany Elle — 09.01.05 @ 6:27 pm