Bush Burton's Funeral

Rev. Samuel "Bush" Burton's funeral will be held this Saturday, February 3, 2007 at East Jerusalem Baptist Church in Picayune, MS.

There will be open casket viewing from 10-11 a.m. and the funeral will be held at 11:00 a.m.

God bless Bush Burton.

Arising from Ruin

The accolades and remembrances keep pouring in for Rev. Samuel "Bush" Burton. I wonder if I am the only one who noticed the halo around Rev. Burton’s head, in the remarkable photo by Virginia Hart that I posted on Monday?

More sharings:

"We from the Medina UMC Church are very sorry to hear of the loss of Reverend Burton. Most of us met him in June and he was included in the Video project from our local paper. The link is:

http://photo.medina-gazette.com/projects/stories/august2006/pearl/pearl.htm

We will continue to hold Pearlington in our prayers and we have a group from our church coming back down in March to Waveland and possibly Pearlington."

God bless all of you.
Doug Herr

"What a loss for people of this town. Bush was "an institution." Because of early involvement with Bush a group of people from my hometown was building him a home (Tommy Broom and the Society Hill Baptist Church.) Their lives were enriched by their involvement with Bush, his rare humor, his gentle spirit, and the indomitable power of his spirit, so the question is who ministered to whom? Donne was right in his poem that "no man is an island, each is a part of the continent, a piece of the main...."

Charles Holmes
Disaster Response Director
Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of Mississippi


Many of us have greatly enjoyed the southern lunches at Rev. Rawl’s First Missionary Baptist Church and were both dismayed that the historic church was destroyed in the storm and excited that it was going to be rebuilt.

C.O.D.R.A. Member Agencies Walls of Hope and Hickory Hammock Baptist Church are leading the rebuild and Walls of Hope’s Gene Butterfield sends the following. If you can help, let me know and I will provide the appropriate address:

"Would you get the word out that within the next few weeks we will be breaking ground on the new church facilities for Pastor Rawls. Doug Pennington [Hickory Hammock] and myself will be coordinating most of the construction on this project. To date the church has approximately $125,000.00 for the building from insurance and a few grants. We are projecting the costs not to exceed $250,000.00.

After all the support Pastor Rawls and his members have given with regards to feeding over 100+ people per day for lunch, I believe it is time to share our thanks. If any teams or organizations would like to support and or donate funds, they can be sent to First Missionary Baptist Church of Pearlington.

We are looking forward to some tremendous times this year."

God Bless, Gene Butterfield - Walls of Hope

In Honor of Bush

The picture I posted yesterday of Rev. Samuel "Bush" Burton, was one from the collection of Virginia Hart. I heard from Ms. Hart today and would like to share this with you:

"I spent time with Rev. Bush during my Red Cross deployment in Oct 2005. His death saddens me immensely. I have many, many photographs I took of him and other Pearlington residents. My website (which contains all of my Katrina photos) is located at:

www.virginiahart.com and my blog (which contains Rev. Bush's story) is

www.hartandsol.blogspot.com

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you would like copies, at virginia@virginiahart.com"

I also heard from another group:

"In February 2006, a group of fifty Virginia volunteers from McLean Baptist Church of McLean, Virginia came to Mississippi to work toward Pearlington's recovery. Amid the devastation and debris, our group of ready, faithful pilgrims had the pleasure of meeting Samuel Burton. We listened to this stately gentleman recount his experiences in Hurricane Katrina. This proud and peaceful man touched us not only with his harrowing tale, but also with his keen and guiding perspective.

He chose not to be bitter, he chose not to complain. He, amid his suffering and struggle, took it all in stride....just another drum beat in the steady rhythm of life. Those of our group near him that afternoon had the pleasure of his impromptu "a capella" gospel singing. One and all, we were frozen in rapt attention that chilly afternoon as Samuel's vocal music carried us to a place far beyond the turmoil of Pearlington. The echoes of Samuel's voice still ring in our ears, and we are all comforted by the knowledge that God now has another beautiful voice in his mighty choir.

May God bless Samuel Burton and comfort his family."

And grace will lead me home,
Pete Traynham
McLean Baptist Church McLean, Virginia

Miracles in Street Clothes

Rev. Samuel "Bush" Burton

Photo by Virginia Hart

Courtesy www.pearlingtonstories.blogspot.com

When we first came to Pearlington - the "Forgotten Town" - each of us in our heart made a commitment to never allow the people of that place to be forgotten again. We have kept that promise, as the link to another story in the press (below) will attest.

We have also promised to hold dear in our hearts each and every member of the community, the ones who have struggled and even the ones who have struggled with us. We tell their stories around the continent lest they be ignored, overlooked, neglected once again. This hurricane and all the glories and tragedies of life that would have befallen them regardless, did not just happen to all of them, but to each of them as well. We tell their individual tales so that the cement of love that defines humanity holds them in our hearts forever.

Here then, are some of our stories. As you read them and as we dream of a rebuilt Pearlington, please remember that a Dream-Come-True is a miracle in street clothes and that the lives of the people of Pearlington have gifted us in greater measure.

"I was reminded this morning by your posting of Saint Peter. He is well remembered as the apostle whose faith faltered as he walked on water. What is not mentioned often enough is that he is the only one who stepped out of the boat.

I think of him often when I think of the people of Pearlington. They did not stay "safely in the boat" waiting for the government to take over their lives and "make it better." Instead, they "stepped out of the boat" and did what they could with what they had, thus attracting others to (in Pastor Rawls' words) "come alongside."

That, in my view, is the purest definition of courage."
- MaryLena Anderegg

Wendy Frost penned a very moving story on her own blog, back on March 24, 2006. It is long and contains photos, so I will refer you there:

http://pearlingtonstories.blogspot.com/2006_03_01_archive.html

To watch Wendy’s video of Rev. Bush Burton on YouTube, click here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_pr1kZflDE

Today, I would also like to announce a new service by C.O.D.R.A. member Warren Tidwell of Alabama. Warren has created the Severe Weather Alert System for Pearlington Residents and Volunteers and will maintain a contact service and a blog, called Warren’s Weather Wisdom.

There is now a permanent link on this site and I ask that you please check out the details of the service at:

http://www.wawewi.blogspot.com

The press story, forwarded to me by John Chickering of Franklin UMC is not complete in its information and contains some glaring omissions. For instance, the rebuilding of the Ladner home doesn’t mention key people like Jennifer Johnson and the BRICK Layers of Alabama, nor Warren Tidwell etc. But, I suppose, as Oscar Wilde said: "The only bad press is NO press:"

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/27/AR2007012701154.html

"Those who give, receive more than they gave.
Those who receive, give more than they got."
- Jon White, Dream School, The Portal of Gratitude

Another Passing in Pearlington

In a month marred by personal tragedy, another member of the Pearlington community has passed on.

Rev. Samuel "Bush" Burton - a man known and loved in town by all who knew him - was found this morning by his niece beside his truck in the driveway. Details are sketchy at this moment, but I will fill you in on the relevant facts as they become available.

Nell Nation of Cooperative Baptist Fellowship sends this:

"Many of you knew Samuel Bush Burton who rode out the storm in the pecan tree with his nephew and dog. with snakes crawling around. He's the one who asked God to save his tree. He was a preacher for many, many years. Rev. Tommy Broom, pastor of Society Hill Baptist Church near Columbia, MS. had stasrted a new home for Bush. On warm days he would sit in his chair near the street and watch the building go up. He will be sorely missed."

I had planned to print this quote this morning, a gift forwarded to me by John Chickering of Franklin United Methodist Church. It seems somehow appropriate to follow through with that plan....


"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how a strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better.

The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat."

- Theodore Roosevelt's Speech at the Sorbonne, Paris, France, April 23, 1910

Things Are Shakin' in P Town....

The Swanson, Earle and Everett Cook rebuilds have all been organized and planned, thanks to much creative work by PRC's Laurie Spaschak in putting together a unique funding blend. Tom Dalessandri of The Pearlington Project: Mountains to Mississippi will be the lead C.O.D.R.A. agency for grant purposes.

All three of these projects had already been adopted, however a non-C.O.D.R.A. sponsoring organization was not able to engage, due to funding difficulties. Three cheers for the families and for our C.O.D.R.A. Member Agencies and many others, all working together!

Laurie also shared that last Sunday, Rev. Rawls announced in church that they have received a $35,000 grant from the Bush-Clinton Katrina Relief Fund for Houses of Worship to help them rebuild their historic church. Praise the Lord and pass the nail gun!

Raymond Diaz’s Memorial is on Saturday in Pearlington. Tim Goodnow of the Dog Soldiers of Atlanta sends this to Cindy Diaz, in response to her request that Tim speak on Saturday:

“Yes, I will be with you on Saturday. I could not miss it. Raymond loved the Dog Soldiers. He was loved and admired by many of us. I loved him. Your husband had a unique quality –– laughing at himself –– not taking it seriously. His humility inspired me to be lighter and laugh more. Thank you for honoring me with speaking for your husband. I would love to. See you soon.”

Thank you, Tim. I cannot imagine anyone who could do this more eloquently than you.

Jennifer Johnson of the BRICK Layers of Alabama passes this on to those interested:

"Here's an interesting article from the NY Times about settlements with State Farm in Mississippi. You may want to pass this along in case anyone we know can re-open their case."

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/24/business/24insure.html?_r=1&th&emc=th&oref=slogin

Have a great week!

A Dynamic Duo

I would like to welcome to our C.O.D.R.A. family, two new members whose inclusion is long overdue:

Susie Sharp is a remarkable woman in many ways, who has been there for her neighbors as much after Katrina as she always was before it. She has been my hostess in Pearlington since the early days, when I met her in the former ruins of her home. She has endured the loss of her husband Billy before Katrina, her brother Valerie because of Katrina and recently, her mother.

Yet, she has always been there for residents and volunteers alike, in their moments of trial. She has provided me a safe and private place in which to do my work and to take care of myself, as well as mobility, good food, fellowship and her unique insight and wisdom. She has even jeopardized her personal safety in mucking out houses that are beyond nasty (e.g. Lois Kelly’s) and been available to help when others are in need.

Susie is a true supporter of Pearlington and its people and now serves as Project Facilitator on some rebuilds in progress.

Thank you, Susie. I have decided to include you as a Founding Member of C.O.D.R.A., as my work in this area has been possible partly because of your many gifts of the spirit to this crazy Canadian you took into your home and heart.

Warren Tidwell is another exceptional young man doing what he can to assist Pearlington in its recovery. In a field of outstanding volunteer men operating in Pearlington, Warren takes his rightful place as a gentle, caring and loving person, whose heart is always open to the people of Pearlington and their plight.

Over the many months, Warren has written eloquently to me of how his experiences there have changed him and helped him grow. With my encouragement, Warren is now considering an education toward a career in Disaster Management and I know that there is hope for the future with a man like Warren on the job.

Thank you both for all you have given Pearlington. You both are shining examples of what one person can do.

A Single Grain of Sand

Today, we would like to welcome two very worthy new Member Agencies to C.O.D.R.A.’s complement of volunteer organizations helping to rebuild Pearlington. Both organizations are represented by dedicated, hard-working men with whom I am very proud to be associated:

First is Franklin United Methodist Church of Franklin, Massachusetts, whose efforts in Pearlington are led by John Chickering. John and his teams have worked very hard on a wide variety of projects and have provided badly needed materials and labor.

Please check them out at:
http://www.franklinumc.org

Second is Hickory Hammock Baptist Church Local Missions Ministry, of Milton, Florida - locally directed by Doug Pennington. Doug and his group have been rebuilding churches in Pearlington since Sept. 16, 2005.

You may check out their web site at:
http://www.hickoryhammockbaptist.org

WELCOME BOTH! Together, we will git ‘er done!

I would also like to draw your attention to a comment posted on yesterday’s article by Wendy Frost, penned by Jeanne Brooks - a dedicated educator, student and grand Southern Belle. To view her comments, click on the "Comments" link at the bottom of yesterday’s story "A Most Beautiful Compensation." Thanks, Jeanne. As usual, a pleasure to hear so eloquently from you.

The fact is, that it only takes a single grain of sand, placed on the scales at a critical moment, to tip the balance in the opposite direction. When that critical mass is reached, it could go either way. As a critical mass in the rebuilding of Pearlington is reached, only one more volunteer, one more piece of wood or drywall or insulation will tip the balance and we will rush to completion together.

That is why I was not kidding when I suggested that we could rebuild Pearlington by August 29, 2007. We are approaching that point of critical mass and every person, every stick of lumber counts and that one bit that is applied at the tipping point is dependent on all that came before.

What if YOU are that critical grain of sand?

When I was travelling regularly between Canada and the war in Bosnia in the 90's, I would invariably end up sitting beside some North American businessman on the plane from Frankfurt. Invariably, he would ask me where I was coming from and I would tell him. Invariably, he would look at me scornfully and ask me, usually with a couple of martinis under his belt, if I really thought doing play therapy programs with children in refugee camps ACTUALLY made a difference?

The first few times, the question angered me. I came to a place of peace about it though, and decided I would create a stock answer:

"Sir, I have absolutely no idea if I made any difference whatsoever.

But I’m pretty sure if I’d stayed home, I didn’t."

"Here’s test to know if your mission on Earth is finished:
If you are still alive....it isn’t."
- Richard Bach

A Most Beautiful Compensation

In response to my posting "No Man is an Island" C.O.D.R.A. Member Wendy Frost sends this stirring personal account:

"I didn't know Raymond Diaz, but I am sorry for his loss. Your words on Tuesday really touched me and I thank you for them.

As a nurse, I am cautioned against getting close to patients for the very same reasons. I'm aware of transference and counter-transference. I've been scolded by a friend who is a therapist and who volunteers with the Red Cross. Warned that I am taking the situation in Pearlington too personally. Informed that I need to let it and them go - that I've done enough.

But as you said, if not me who? Who will care? Who will keep the forgotten people from being forgotten again? I have formed deep and lasting friendships with many in the community and I refuse to sever those ties.

It isn't enough when so many in our great country are still homeless. It isn't enough when our very own people do not have the means to take care of their dead, or the hope to carry on alone. How can this happen in America? It happens because we have allowed it to happen. We are encouraged to protect ourselves to the point of apathy, then have the gall to say "isn't that awful, someone should do something!"

So like you, I will go on caring too much. I will continue to be hurt, frustrated and sad. I won't stop until the homeless and hopeless have hope again. I'll go on caring too much until those who don't care at all become involved. I'm not bold enough or conceited enough to allow myself to believe that I can save the world, let alone Pearlington, but I can make a difference. I truly believe that one person, any person who is blessed with just a little faith, can make a difference.

Yes caring hurts, but it also heals. When you see hope and tears of joy shine in eyes that were dull and listless, and shoulders and a spine that were rounded with grief and despair stand straight and tall with the pride of being a homeowner, the pain associated with caring too much goes away. In it's place is a sense of well-being and accomplishment and a sense of knowing that this is what it truly means to be a healer.

Again, thank you for your wonderful words. You have no idea just how much I needed to hear them."

"It is one of the most beautiful compensations of life,
that no man can sincerely try to help another

without helping himself"
- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Thank you, Wendy. Well felt. Well written.

A Personal Note from "Canada Jon"

The death of Raymond Diaz has galvanized something within me, something that I have thought of in the past and has now come to the front and center of my consciousness.

We have created a community in Pearlington, we volunteers who went to help and became attached to the lives of strangers. We grieve and laugh and celebrate as they do; their deaths and accidents, their jokes and cultural differences, their new homes and restored lives - have all become our own. We care; not because we have to, but because we choose to, and because of that the passing of one in our community affects us deeply, as if it were our own family dealing with a great loss.

In my profession as a therapist, we are trained and warned against transference and counter-transference: the over-identification from and to those whose lives we seek to improve. Yet, in this situation, in which most of us experience our work as a vocation and a calling - not just a job - this concept is a difficult one, as we choose this work because we care and because we want to make a difference where and when we can.

We are not "rotated out" before we care too much; we allow, even invite, our own secondary trauma as we toil in the trenches and share ourselves so easily and readily with the people of Pearlington. There are no "buffers" nor "filters" that are created by some bureaucracy to "protect" us. We are there and open and inviting....and we hurt so much, so easily.

This also is the nature of volunteerism. There is nothing abstract or clinical about this experience; it is raw and risky emotionally. For many of us who knew and cared for Raymond and his family, we have put ourselves in harm’s emotional way and now we must pay.

We will grieve and grow. We will re-double our efforts to find a solution for the Diaz family and we will continue to care.

And that, in a nutshell, is why we will - in the end - do a task that was impossible from the very beginning. That is why we are the ONLY ones who can pull this off. That is the truest nature of volunteerism: doing a job that shouldn’t have had to be done; by people who were never actually asked to do it; with no resources, no money and no time.

Thank you Raymond for this gift. Thank you for needing us and allowing us to open our hearts to you and your family. What you have given us exceeds what we have given you and so the Wheel of Life turns and all are served.

God bless,
Canada Jon

No Man is an Island

350 years ago, English poet John Donne wrote:

"No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main. Any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind, and therefore never send to know for whom the bells tolls; it tolls for thee."

This morning it is with deep regret that I must write of the death of Pearlington resident and personal friend Raymond Diaz.

Each part of Pearlington that washed away in the storm; each person’s life that was threatened and diminished and forever changed by Katrina and all that came after, diminishes us all; for we, too, are a part of humankind. Each time the bell tolls in the global village to announce the passing of a brother or sister, it tolls for all of us, as the living body of Brother and Sisterhood is equally diminished by the loss.

Raymond and Cindy Diaz and family have struggled so much since the storm, virtually losing their home in Oak Harbor and dealing with a series of car accidents and other losses since.

Raymond’s hope was that his home would be rebuilt, that his family could begin its healing in the place they all belonged. He worked to help his neighbors and himself and formed close friendships with all of those who worked on his home. Chief among these is Tim Goodnow, of the Dog Soldiers of Atlanta, who has captained the recovery of the Diaz home and was always available to Raymond as a friend, mentor and Perfect Stranger.

I call now upon the Member Agencies of C.O.D.R.A. and on all of Raymond and Cindy’s brothers and sisters across the continent, to do know what needs to be done to, at least, get Cindy and her girls back into their home. Please coordinate this through Tim who can be reached HERE. If you wish to make a donation to this effort, please also contact Tim.

Henry David Thoreau said that "the mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation....and go to the grave with their song still in them."

Let us now pick up Raymond’s tune and, in harmony and with sweetness, fulfil his dream.

God bless the Diaz Family,
Jon White

What's Up in P-Town?

Snow has finally come to southern Ontario but, so far, not nearly in the quantity forecast. Hey, Tom D: sorry 'bout Colorado! And WE'RE "the frozen north...."

Things are ticking along in Pearlington and Laurie Spaschak of the Pearlington Recovery Center sends this:

"There is a lot of excitement in the air here, the New Year is off to an amazing start, spirits are high and funds and materials are finally within reach. We had meetings today at the Long Term Recovery Committee Construction Committee in the morning and Unmet Needs Roundtable following The Hurricane Relief Funds are in the bank, and ready to be used.

There was an amazing sense of teamwork today at these meetings, all present were willing to share volunteer labor and resources to get the job done.

Our cook is on a couple weeks vacation, but planning to come back. Bob Paschall (my assistant) went home for health reasons but will return shortly, as far as we know right now, Joel Adams did a fabulous job of holding down the fort while I was gone.

Also, I saw Jackie Acker today and it was really good to see her after such a long time. She has to find a new piece of property to build on, as there is an ownership issue with the location where her trailer is. She will be checking on a piece of school land tomorrow and promised to get back to me with the results.

It is cold here tonight, but we have two groups of seven here, Pastor Phil from Ohio (Lucas Foursquare) and his team and Larry Schmaltz's team who is working with Doug Pennington. The Save The Children Group is coming in Friday - they have a group of firefighters who will be building the new playground at the new Community Center site next week, beginning with a barbeque and ending with another barbeque and inauguration when they leave."


I have added a new link to the blog - check out Gara Gillentine’s work here:

Have a great week and keep Pearlington in your prayers, please!

The True Nature of Volunteerism

Yesterday, I received an email from C.O.D.R.A. member Jim Merritt of Beaufort, SC. He shared with me the following:

"I heard this line in a message at church on Sunday:

‘You have to go into hell to bring people out.’

It occurred to me that is what we as volunteers have done. Entered the hell that the people of the Gulf Coast have been in. One by one we slowly are "bringing them out" and in doing so, as Christians we have shown who we are and what we care about: a reflection of Jesus showing his Love for our brothers and sisters."

I believe, as a therapist, that I have two choices. I can hang my shingle in relative safety at the side of the road and invite those who are "lost" to find their way out of the forest so I might help them. However, as a solution-focussed professional and individual, I also have enough respect for people to believe that if they could have found their way out, they would have by now.

Or, I can have the personal courage to go into the forest and lead them out. The forest, however, also shrouds my own demons and devils and so I am constantly required to take my own journey - in fact, the longest journey: the journey inward.

Such is the nature of volunteerism in a place like Pearlington.

There is a timing to all things and this is not for the faint-of-heart nor for those unready, any more than is personal therapy. It requires keeping one’s eyes on the horizon and not being bogged down with petty details nor other people’s "stuff." We are allowed to be human on this journey; however, then we are called to pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off and to keep walking forward toward the light.

This journey of volunteerism takes Faith and Trust in a Higher Power who has created a wonderful world, a world in which we may fully partake if we will just get out of our own way. I call this the Law of Allowance and that’s a whole other article. Suffice it to say that Jim Merritt is absolutely right. Some of us are called to a thing and we must allow it to unfold, for inside the journey we discover that the path always leads right back to....ourselves.

Volunteer if you will. Volunteer if you must. Volunteer if you dare.

I promise you no other reward than a journey back to YOU.

The Men I've Met in Pearlington

In a year filled with ironies, 2007 dawns today in southern Ontario only 2 degrees cooler than it is in Pearlington, MS - 1300 miles to the south. Instead of the customary blanket of snow, the grass is growing and the birds are chirping.

In a life filled with ironies, I have a practice filled with angry, sometimes violent men. On both sides of the Atlantic I have worked with and witnessed tens of thousands of men. Men at war with themselves and others; men seeking the peace on earth they cannot find; men, boys really, struggling to tread water and to make some sense of themselves. Yet it is within weather, not war, that I am reminded of the true meaning of Manhood.

In a world filled with ironies, while we hang despots and imprison all manner of greedy guys, the Toms and Tims, the Charlies and Jims - the Volunteer Men of Pearlington - go unrecognized in the world.

But, not today.

It has been one of the signal pleasures and fondest experiences of my life to work with so many fine men. Men who have answered a call much greater than a call to arms: a call to Peace. Men who give so much of themselves and ask so little in return. Men of Value, men of Faith, men of Hope and Diligence; craftsmen and workmen; men who build and men who tear down to build again.

Men of Conscience, who can look another man in the eye and speak those most-feared words: I love you. Men of a new breed, men who comfort and lead boys to manhood, men who honor and respect women and hold them as equal partners in the quest for Peace.

These are the Volunteer Men of Pearlington - oh, I’m sure, not all of them, but men sufficient to turn the tide of how we are all perceived and held with due respect. Men I admire and have come to cherish; men who inspire me with their quality and forthrightness and dedication to a cause that counts. Men who break down the barriers between other men and call them to their greatest place.

I received an email from one such man yesterday. I share it here because he in turn received a call from another man, a Pearlington man, who has been enriched not only in hearth but in heart by the graciousness of a Perfect Stranger:

"I am proud to do this work for others, but I am honored and humbled to be so rewarded by Raymond’s graciousness. I didn’t come to Pearlington for that, but I keep going back in part because people like Raymond remind me of how valuable a person I am – and have yet to be.

To each of you reading this, I copied you because Ray is thanking you. Your allowing his respect, gratitude and appreciation to strike your heart may just move you, too. My heart is up in my throat and tears are in my eyes as I write. And with that feeling, may you choose to reach out to someone else and spread it on him or her. I am thanking you for being my partner in this project, and for every other one you choose to participate in that makes a contribution to others.

All those things you do that no one knows about."

Love and thank you,
Tim Goodnow - Dog Soldiers of Atlanta

In a year filled with irony, wherein men who weren’t required to care replaced those who were paid to care, Goodnow and so many others shine a light too bright to ignore and change comes, not with a bang nor a whimper, but with a smile and a helping hand.

There is a message here, a metaphor that lies beneath the rebuilding of a bayou town.

It will change the world if we allow it.

Happy New Year!
"Canada Jon" White