Ramblin' with Rose: Rose Writes

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Rose Writes

Two of my essays have been published in Chicken Soup for the Soul books: "River of Life" in Chicken Soup for the Traveler's Soul, and "Canyons of my Soul" is in Chicken Soup to Inspire the Body and Soul.

In addition from 1999 - 2005, I was a columnist in the St. Bernard Times Picayune, with a weekly column entitled "Ramblin' with Rose," showcasing news about the East Chalmette community. I created a series called "Day in the Life" and "Just the FAQs" for the newspaper, and wrote feature stories.

My published works also include a story in Inside Northside magazine about a 2006 road tour with the Voices of Louisiana. I've also written plays and have the ubiquitous novels in progress.

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Another thing

I've come to know that we carry home in our hearts, and no hurricane can change that.

Hurricanes, those damnable natural acts-of-godlessness, changed my life several times. First was 1965, when I met my husband, Milton, at a hurricane shelter during Betsy. "Met him in a hurricane, life will never be the same." That's a line from a song that Bud Tower wrote several years later for a play called "An Evening with Betsy, Voices from the Storm." The song is called "Rose Marie, Marry Me," and tells the story of young lovers finding each other in the pouring rain.

And that helps explain the next change - in telling my story about meeting my husband, I became partnered in a theatrical production company called Shine. Building that company in our home town of Chalmette was one sweet ride. So many talented people, and so many incredible community experiences were born.

Taking me to this last hurricane of 2005. That one left us hurting and struggling, as we are slowly rebuilding our lives once again. I'm so proud of the progress in St. Bernard parish, and of the dedicated educators, business owners and residents to have worked the front lines. And I am proud of my adopted city of Slidell, and the welcoming arms of these courageous people who have rebuilt their town as they welcomed so many.

Shine gave birth to Voices of Louisiana, another voice from another storm - this time telling quite another story. The love story of our state and our communities.

So here I sit in a new home on the Northshore of Lake Pontchartrain. The home that Milton and I built in Chalmette was destroyed by the oil spill as well as the flood waters. I like to think I'm 'bi-costal' and enjoy my roots in St. Bernard as much as my new studio in Slidell.

But, and this is a big but, I often cry for a place that exists only in my heart. I go there often, no matter where I am. I'm from the parish, and proud of it.