I and my husband were both born and raised in New Orleans. After high school we both joined the military and left because we felt that there were no opportunities available for us. We were both fairly educated enough and driven to lead better lives. Unfortunately it is extremely difficult to seep through the cracks of that city and start a new. I don\'t think people realize that New Orleans, before the storm, was more than drunk nights in the French Quater and Mardi Gras. At least 80% of the population of New Orleans lived day by day to make ends meet, but their spirits were stronger then. In the aftermath of this storm their spirits are crushed, hope is lost and they are left with nothing. If things were slightly different in my past I would be there also. I am horrified by what I see on tv. I wonder if my mother is in any of these crowds. I wonder if any of my loved ones that I have not come in contact with yet or either suffering or dead.\r\n\r\n--J. Stewart\r\n\r\noriginally collected by University of Texas, San Antonio\r\nhttp://www.utsa.edu/today/hurricane/ShareKatrinaStories.htm\r\n