On August 14th of 2003, the east coast of the United States was hit by a massive power failure. I remember it well. Fear was rampant at first, with thoughts that it might be another terrorist attack. The power grid explanation was more soothing, but not more comforting. People in Ohio, Michigan, New York, New Jersey, and other states all the way up to and including Canada were without power for days.

I remember that it was hot. I remember the uncertainty. The city I live in had no electricity, no water service, no working sewage system, no public transportation. It was like a bad dream.

Now multiply that bad dream times a thousand, and think of the people hit by Katrina. Not only all of the above, but no home, very little food, no idea what will become of you and your family, if they even managed to survive. Think of the sick, the elderly, the children, those still trapped, and put yourself in their place.

Please do whatever you can to help. Contact your local charitable organizations and ask what you can do. CNN has a link set up with info on how to help. Whether it’s donating blood, money, food, or offering prayers. Anything.

Please.

(and no, I haven’t forgotten my promise…I plan to post new excerpts from other stories I’ve written either today or tomorrow…but this was more important to me).