It’s a Wonderful World!

I saw “Growing Old Isn’t for Sissies” title on a t-shirt that came with leopard leggings and thought, whoa, they got that right! I awoke, bright and early, Sunday, August 27 and remembered, yes, it was my birthday. THE BIG ONE, the BIG 50!
Funny, I didn't feel any different than I had the day before; this day was going to be okay for one fresh new fifty year old. I was in New Orleans and I quickly left my apartment in the quarter, entered the courtyard and went looking for my friend Carol. She told me we were going to do these amazing masques for our face and complexion first thing in the morning. I watched as Carol whipped up the powdered Aztec clay with apple cider vinegar. The concoction was an amazing shade of puce and smelled just like deviled eggs. She handed me the bowl to slather the foul smelling green muck on to my face. We looked at each other and said, “Let’s go show the guys!�
We headed upstairs to her brother-in-laws apartment and my husband, Jay caught the whole thing on video tape. My guess, future blackmail material. As we sipped our freshly brewed coffee, we anticipated the crow's feet disappearing, and years washing away with the green gunk. I thought to myself, I am very happy right now, right this minute. I am with my friends and family in New Orleans and fifty was looking like it could be good. Well, at least when we lost the masques.
As I washed away the now Grinch appearance like masque, well as I washed away and chipped off the hardened miracle wonder, I looked into the mirror. Not too bad for a fifty year old, as I hurried to get ready for church. Robbie, my friend Randy’s brother, wanted us to all go to the St. Louis Cathedral, as this was his church in New Orleans on Jackson Square. The victims and losses suffered by the city would be remembered this Sunday at mass as a Hurricane Katrina Anniversary Memorial. As we entered the Catholic Church, I felt as if I was in a movie. We took up a whole pew and part of another in front of us as we seated ourselves for the service. As it began, I was reminded of the Lutheran Church I attended with my childhood friend, Debbie Teegardin. Many of the same rituals of being sung to and then repeating the chant. I found that way of sharing the service very comforting and reminded me of all my Sundays of attending church with Debbie. She has since passed this world. She died before we turned fifty, succumbing from cancer. I said a silent prayer in memory of Debbie.
I had never been to a Catholic High Mass service before and I found the service absolutely beautiful. The music was truly divine as behind us in the balcony above was the adult choir and some of the boy's choir. I pretended I was Haley Mills who I adored as a child. For a short time, when I was in grade school, I wanted to become a nun, because of Haley Mills and a movie that she starred in about becoming a nun. I told my mother, “I want to become a nun when I grow up. She told me that would be somewhat difficult as we were not Catholic. She suggested that maybe I might think of becoming a missionary. It seemed a gyp to me, as they did not get to wear the cool outfits. I thought it extremely unfair that I could not wear one of those habits, you know that came complete with the wings on their white hats, just like the actor, Sally Field portrayed in the "Flying Nun" television series. I did notice the nuns that sat a few pews ahead of me wore just these black drapey things on their heads with white headbands. I guess those white winged hats were probably more of a pain. I mean how in the world did they keep those things so white and pristine? I am sure I would have torn off a wing as fast as I dash around.
Everybody always complained about the getting up and sitting down, all the kneeling. Since I am an antsy sitter, (all those years of standing all day doing hair), I found all the moving around helpful. I really got into the service.
I began to look at the church service program and was surprised to find commercial ads for local businesses, such as the wonderful, Muriel's where we all dined the night before. The upstairs of that restaurant has the most unusual bordello rooms outfitted in plush leopard chaises and fringe festooned couches for enjoying a fine spirit or cigar. We mostly just took pictures so we could show everybody. I should have them up on my website soon.
I loved the ads for "Prays Well With Others" t-shirts, Crescent City Cigar Shop and Kabuki, Hats and Accessories Made by Hand in the French Quarter. You could peruse for pet care at Magazine St. Animal Clinic" Where Your Pets Are Family" to Darell's Plumbing for all your remodeling and repair needs. This brought me back to the devastation of New Orleans. People are still looking for pets and family members, so sad. The quarter looked fine, in fact, it seemed better than ever but outside the quarter? Not so good my friends.
As we exited the church, a smiling blonde woman gave me a hot pink Katrina rubber bracelet and a red, white, and blue ribbon Katrina magnet for my car. I felt the weight of my birthday lift from my shoulders as viewed all the congregation of people leave the church and flood into Jackson Square. I realized too after the service of how much I have and much I have to give. The first fifty years of my life, I was unsure of direction and know I had taken more than I had ever given. This second half of my life would be the time for me to give back all and more of what I had accumulated in life.
We headed into the quarter and as this was New Orleans, the guys wanted to go get Bloody Marys. My friend Carol, my sister, Karen, and I were more interested in the art galleries and boutiques. Everything in New Orleans is a visual feast. Each shop, so unique, each turn, a new present. I entered a shop called Rouge Beauty and spotted my birthday present, a vintage tiara. One of a kind and truly fit for a Queen. I scampered across to Harry's Corner to find my husband and gave him the look.
"I have found what I want for my birthday, Jay."
Before I could say another word, he handed me his credit card. I literally skipped back across the street and made my purchase. This crown of crowns would be my reminder of my new reign. I would empower myself as queen to pay it forward and encourage others to do so too. I also must preface this story with telling you that my husband is not one to hand me a credit card, let alone with no price tag in sight. Being a business and finance major, frivolous spending is not his foray so the fact that he just handed over the card says a lot. So when you see me wearing my New Orleans tiara be sure and tell Jay what a great guy he is next time you see him. I am always the one in the limelight but he truly is the one that reigns as King Timber Guy.
I really did not think my birthday could get any better then we went to the Rib Room for lunch. Everybody from Carol and Randy's family was there, my sister, Karen and Richard and of course my good friends, Carol and Randy. We all ordered prime rib and then they surprised me. Yes, they caught me totally off guard by having the trio that play at the restaurant come and sing to me “Happy Birthday, New Orleans jazz style. I was so shocked I burst into tears. I could not stop crying which made me start laughing at the same time. I was a mess. By the end of the song, we were all crying and laughing. What a great birthday! Then the lead singer sang especially for me "It's a Wonderful World." I cried unashamed and grateful for everything. Grateful for being with such great friends and family. Grateful for being healthy and living to be fifty years old. I have so much and knowing there are people in the city and away from home that lost everything. Kind of an empathy, an "ah ha" moment so to speak. I was ready to put this birthday behind me and get to work.
As we left New Orleans, I could not believe the water lines on the freeway walls. FEMA trailers were parked in everyone's drive as they lived in those while they tried to repair their homes. I heard on the radio that a storage building next to the Superdome still contained over 100 bodies that were unclaimed from the Hurricane's devastation. I was healthy, I was loved, and I had a home to go home to.
So where do we begin? We begin by thanking God that we are alive and well and can help, then we help. It is very simple. In a previous blog, I gave the address of where books could be sent to help libraries in Louisiana. Give to the Red Cross. Give to the St. Louis Cathedral, the Basilica on Jackson Square and go to New Orleans. See it for yourself. Your tourism dollars will help their economy. We do not need to forget, as it will take decades to get New Orleans and its people back on the road to recovery. As literacy is the mission of my book club, I plan to do more to bringing books to schools and libraries in Louisiana and the Gulf coast.
I am also gearing up for BOOKS ALIVE! the Christian and Inspirational Book Festival that I am putting together as a total fundraiser for The First United Methodist Church. This church was instrumental in helping all the displaced families during Hurricane Katrina and Rita and hopefully, this event will give them the funds to replenish their resources. You know when you see your minister bussing tables for dozens of families at the local Hamburger Store who was dishing out free meals to these people, you are inspired to help in anyway you can.
I sent an email out to all my Christian and Inspirational author friends, and no one turned me down to help me on this mission. We can make a difference and the whole itinerary is up on my website, www.beautyandthebook.com I thank all my author and publisher friends who are helping me make this event possible. America may be seen as a country that is out to help themselves but I have seen with my own eyes that we are a country that does come together when things go wrong, really, really wrong.
I would like to end with a prayer that was in the program for the Sunday morning worship service. No matter what your faith, your beliefs, we can all learn from each other. I learned a lot from my trip to New Orleans and sometimes, just like Dorothy from “The Wizard of Oz�, you have to travel to appreciate home. Home is where the heart is so let us remember and then take action.
Prayer for Healing After the Storm
O Jesus, in our grief and despair,
Destroy death and conquer evil
That we may walk in a spirit of hope
And a newness of life once again.
O Jesus, in our suffering and pain,
Extend your healing hand
That health of mind, body, and spirit
May be restored in the fullness of life.
O Jesus, in our hunger and thirst,
Feed us with your precious Body and Blood
That our longing hearts may be satisfied
And our empty spirits filled to overflowing.
O Jesus, in our fear and doubts,
Stop the winds and scatter the darkness
That we may see your majesty and power
As a beacon of hope.
O Jesus, on our anger and impatience.
Calm all violence and hostilities
And bathe us in the serenity of your peace
That we may have the courage to endure.
O Jesus, all our trust and hope is in you
Hear our Prayer.
Amen

By Karen Spears Zacharias
September 21, 2006 09:14 AM Link to this
Kat: That’s a beautiful prayer.

By Kathy L. Patrick
September 22, 2006 08:26 AM Link to this
Karen, It was a beautiful prayer and a beautiful service. One that I will never forget and hopefully people will not forget New Orleans and our Gulf Coast. They will be needing our help for many years to come. One of my favorite places to visit and not for Bourbon Street but for the shops, the galleries, the food, the churches, the museums but more importantly, the people. Thank you for commenting. kat

By W. Bruce Cameron
September 22, 2006 01:10 PM Link to this
I just returned from New Orleans, there as part of a charity effort to distribute school supplies to children attending schools that were hard hit by Katrina. Many Pulpwood Queens contributed books and other materials—thank you so much!
There are two cities here—the one the news media covers, with recovery efforts barely underway and years to go before rebuilding is complete. The other New Orleans is written about above: this place is open for business and they need people to go there and spend money! The economy is sputtering and tourism is a big factor in the recovery effort. The Quarter, the restaurants, the casino, they are all open and ready to great you. Go there and get a discounted hotel room and have a great time, you’ll be helping those in need!

By Kathleen Shaputis
September 22, 2006 02:22 PM Link to this
Kat What an incredible adventure for kick starting the next fifty years. The NO news is appreciated, and we can all chip in to remember those less fortunate.
Author of “Changes in Attitude” She’s single, she’s pregnant and NOW she’s finds Mr. Right?

By Kathy L. Patrick
September 22, 2006 11:34 PM Link to this
Kathleen, How nice of you to write and I will be sure and check out your book. Everybody let’s get to reading. Truly, kat

By Kathy L. Patrick
September 22, 2006 11:41 PM Link to this
Bruce, You are absolutely right. We stayed in the quarter and everything was business as usual. Yes, everybody go to New Orleans but drive out to the neighborhoods. We have much that we can do and authors, Bruce Cameron and Cathryn Michon have really not only talked the talk, but walked the walk. They went down to New Orleans and went to work. I am inspired by authors who get out there and make a difference. Brava, brava Bruce and Cathryn. Your applauding friend, Kat