I evacuated my elderly parents Saturday morning before the storm hit. We were not going to evacuate until I turned the T.V. on Saturday morning. We went to bed the night before thinking the storm was going to hit Pensacola. Then Mayor Ray Nagin came on T.V. that Saturday morning and ordered everyone to evacuate. I was in shock - my dad was not up - and I knew I had to get him up and dressed. We also had to get medications together. We did it though - I was able to get my parents out of the house within 2 hours. Thank God we did. \r\n\r\nWe evacauted to the Embassy Suites in Baton Rouge. My dad - blind and in a wheel chair and my elderly mother and myself found the Embassy Suites our home for the next 9 months. It was truly an amazing time. We met so many beautiful people during this time. The Embassy Suites staff made sure we were taken care of during our lengthy stay.\r\n\r\n9 months later we returned to Slidell (our home had 5 ft of water) to a a FEMA trailer. We spent the next 18 months in a handicapp FEMA trailer on our property until our home was rebuilt enough to live inside of it. \r\n\r\nI have many stories during this time. For example, our contractor took advantage of us, took the funds and did not complete our home. It was difficult to stay on top of things because my mother and I were caring for my dad in addition to trying to rebuild a home and I was trying to keep up with my teaching swimming. It was very hard. And, our insurance did not pay out in full. Yes it was hard but a time I would not trade for a million dollars. I was allowed precious time with my parents - we became so close during this time. We supported each other and encouraged one another and grew with each other and prayed together. We helped each other. It was a very special - blessed - difficult time (if that makes sense.) \r\n\r\nI feel so blessed even more now because of that time together. Sadly, both of my parents are now deceased (my mother recently.) Reflecting on our time together helps me to keep going ... one step at a time. \r\n\r\nThe home is still not finished and I\'ll have to work through that but I know how fortunate and blessed we were to have each other and how blessed I was and am now for what we had to endure. \r\n\r\nThank you for allowing us to share.\r\nCecelia Marie Dugas\r\n(Deceased parents - Paul Clifford Sr and Lucille T Dugas)