April 10, 2024
I don’t know that I’ll ever forget this one. I’ve lived in Louisiana the majority of my life, but weather events hit different as a parent of an infant. Our family was fortunate. We are sustaining more inconvenience than actual physical damage. Others are not so fortunate. Many have likened the damage in certain areas of the town to that seen during Katrina.
Even still, Slidell continues to show fortitude and strength like it always does. Slidell has always been special. There is just something about it. When my husband introduced me to his family and friends 20 years ago, I knew Slidell was unlike any place I had ever been before. The way that people make you feel like family the second they meet you. The willingness of everyone to help their neighbor even when they are in need themselves. I’ve heard it said that lending a helping hand when you need one too is not “help,” it’s “love.” I happen to know this to be true. Our community loves so incredibly well.
We have a team of first responders like no other. Our police force and fire department are unmatched. Our local leadership truly does care. I honestly wouldn’t want to go through things like this in any other community. Slidell will remain unified and will build back better than before! You can count on it! If it’s one thing I know about Slidell, it’s that this city perseveres.
It is in these aftermath moments that we see the character that has been built and maintained through multiple storms. After all, character is formed in moments of trial. Don’t ask for patience if you don’t want to be made to wait, right? Life is like that sometimes. You endure trials in various forms, and on the other side of it, sometimes years later, you see some sort of reason for it all, some good to come out of it.
I know and trust that Slidell will show everyone what we are all about. We will take care of each other. We will pray, cook, drink, laugh, cry, work and play together. We will raise our kids to do the same. That’s what we are made of, and we like it that way.
