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Update from Tami McMahon, RN, Seattle, Washington

Worked at a church clinic today in Biloxi, MS. Met the most extraordinary group of women who live in this neighborhood. Many had toddlers/babes in tow. Sat with them and listened after giving tetanus shots. Heard their stories of being submerged in the "black water from the back bay" as it poured into their homes.

They spoke matter-of-factly as they described lifting their children onto the furniture as the water rose above neck level. They described wringing out the bible to find the 23rd Psalm to read aloud as they prayed to God to stop the waters and send help.

Then they passed on thanks to the brother of one amongst them for bringing out his boat to drag them from their window. They shared the heroism of a fellow neighbor and mother who gave her life to save her children as she instructed her partner to let her go in the current and hold onto their sons. They all looked down as they discussed her body not being found until it was washed out from under the house by Rita's flooding. Then they touched arms as they gave words of encouragement for not panicking through the worst of it and all expressed thanks for being alive now to tell their stories.

One told of her favorite possession - a framed peacock made from rhinestones. She thought it might still be in the house but was not allowed to re-enter to find it. She smiled through wet eyes as she then apologized for being greedy to think about such a thing.

They then went on to discuss the now - how they were cleaning up, where they needed to go to get their relief checks (the Red Cross person had not appeared again for the second day since they were processed). They exchanged baby clothes that were given in the wrong sizes and found a toddler that fit them perfectly. Then, after finishing their bowl of gumbo that Mr. Taylor had stewed on an outdoor stove next to the church, they continued their work down the street.

They left us with hugs and words of thanks for those of us who came down to help, not knowing that they had changed our lives forever.