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Gratitude not anger from Katrina victims

Katherine Kersten:

Jim Lodoen shakes his head at some of the news reports out of Houston. They feature angry Hurricane Katrina victims lodged at the Astrodome who insist they are receiving insufficient assistance. Lodoen, a Minneapolis attorney with the Lindquist & Vennum law firm, just got back from a week as a volunteer at the Astrodome complex.

"That's not what I saw," he says.

Lodoen didn't plan his Houston trip with hurricane victims in mind. He went to visit his sick mother. But before he left, he mentioned to two colleagues that he would be staying at the Holiday Inn, temporary home to dozens of victims. "I told them I planned to make contact with a few families, take them to Target or to a restaurant," he says.

The two eagerly asked to contribute, and pressed cash donations on him. The next day, as others at the firm heard about Lodoen's plans, donations poured in. An amazed Lodoen left on Sunday with $3,700, which swelled to almost $8,000 as the week wore on. He used the money to buy $50 and $100 Target gift cards to distribute to displaced families.

Once in Houston, Lodoen made his way to the Astrodome complex, which houses thousands of victims displaced from ravaged New Orleans. He was prepared to find chaos. Instead, he says, he was struck by how well-organized the massive operation was. "There was lots of food, and free stores stocked with clothing, personal items and games. Volunteers on laptops were helping people find family and friends." FEMA, Social Security and other agencies were out in force.

Lodoen circulated among residents' cots, striking up conversations. "Everyone has lost their possessions, their jobs, many friends and perhaps some family. No one knows what tomorrow holds."

But to his surprise, he saw no resentment. People were eager to talk, he says -- not about grievance, but about hope and gratitude.

He met a family that had slept in stadium seats for four nights. "I said, 'That must have been terrible.' 'Oh, no,' the woman said. Instead of focusing on what they lacked, they were deeply thankful for what they had: food, lights, a roof, each other."

...

After chatting with each family, Lodoen handed out Target cards "from your friends at Lindquist & Vennum." Recipients responded with tears and embraces. People were grateful, says Lodoen, for each small gesture: a pat on the back, a listening ear, a lift to Target, an outing for ice cream.

For six days, Lodoen heard tales of courage, perseverance and fierce family love. Over and over, people told of risks that relatives, neighbors and strangers had taken to save them.

There is much more and it is good. Another example of the real story slipping out. Kerston writes for the very liberal Minneapolis Star Tribune. The story of gratitude reflects similar stories in communities around Texas.