Well, I'm finally back. Many of us have much for which to be thankful. Bolivar and Galveston certainly took the brunt and it will be a long time before they are back to "normal". Galveston kids go back to school Tuesday; that, in itself, is pretty miraculous given the extent of the damage. Bolivar and its surroundings are literally gone. There is little left and the search for the missing is still on.

Many thanks to all of you for your prayers and emails before and since the storm. I firmly believe in the power of prayer. I don't know how many rosaries I prayed the night of the storm. Buffy and I weathered it by ourselves in our house. It was very spooky but I can't say that I was really frightened. Since I had only the two of us to worry about, it was rather fascinating to watch nature in total control. I just hoped my trees wouldn't come down on the house. In 1983, when Alicia came through, I was a single parent and still had the four kids. This time, I knew that Mother was very secure at the retirement place where she lives.

After the first week, my neighbor and I used a generator for a couple of days. I was able to use a lamp to read by and to power a small fan. Unfortunately, my neighbor's borrowed generator went out after a couple of days. Fortunately, we had a cool front for part of the time. In a way, though, it was a good reminder of the many things we take for granted. Not having refrigeration or ice is one of the hardest parts. I enjoyed the dark, the peace and quiet - until some of the neighbors got generators. It was a lot harder for families with children, the elderly, and those with health problems.

It also makes one aware of the helpfulness of modern technology. When my cell phone service was restored, I was able to keep in touch via texting with the kids wherever they were. I also have a little crank radio which was indispensable, particularly throughout the first days when we had no idea what was going on in the rest of Houston, Galveston, etc.

Although my power came back after two weeks, others did without for a lot longer. Initially, it was also dangerous to be out on Houston's extremely busy streets with no traffic lights. I saw one accident where a poor lady drove her car across five lanes (she had the right of way), and then someone hit her when she was crossing the sixth and last lane. Now, we have gotten more used to it and people are more careful about taking turns. We will be glad when all of those are back.

For those of us who use cable services for internet and phone, that was very problematic. Despite Comcast's ads that they would be back when the power came back, they took a lot longer to restore service. This past week, I had very erratic service. I think it's back to stay now.

I must say that our local and county officials did a terrific job, trying to work around FEMA and state officials who just seemed to get in the way. To restore most services to the fourth largest city as quickly as they did takes a lot of foresight and organization. Incredibly, garbage pickup never faltered! Those of you who have gone through natural calamities know how important it is to get rid of the contents of refrigerators and freezers. The stench can get pretty unbearable, and there are critters, big and small, with which to contend.

Hurricane debris pickup is starting. Last week the 15 bags I filled with small debris from the yard were picked up. The limb pickup has started; those in my yard were small enough that I could drag them out to the curb.

FEMA, as usual, is another matter. Complaints abound from those whose lives were severely impacted.

I am extremely grateful that I had only minor problems. Thanks again to all my lighthouse friends for praying for us. But don't stop yet; many people in the Houston area, Bolivar Peninsula and Galveston Island remain without the necessities of life and need our prayers.