She’s their guardian angel
Published: October 15, 2005
A real live guardian angel has taken a Louisiana couple under her wings as they work to rebuild their lives after losing everything in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.
Late last month, Standard Journal reported Jodi Pfirman of Milton was planning a trip to Louisiana in hopes of finding a family she could bring back and care for until they were able to get back on their feet. While the plan did not run as smoothly as possible, a man and woman from ravaged Bogalusa, La., were able to make it to Milton.
Pfirman was unable to return home from the devastated area with Shannon Graham and Kenneth Rodrigue, who lost everything in the disaster. They needed to stay and wait for a relief check from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). But after approximately 1,100 miles, a couple of flat tires and Pfirman constantly filling the gas tank of the van via credit card and telephone, Graham and Rodrigue finally found the light at the end of the tunnel Wednesday at the Pfirman residence.
“Words can’t express how wonderful she is, she is our angel,” Graham said. “She didn’t even know us.”
“It hurts to ask for help, but we know we need it,” Rodrigue said. “It’s the first time I’ve not been able to help myself.”
Both agreed that it was a humbling experience to have been welcomed into Pfirman’s home, but they both feel it was a God-send.
Pfirman said there was an instant attraction to help when she met Graham.
“I fell in love with her as she came out from under the bridge (where she was living) at 5:30 a.m. and said ‘Good Morning,’” Pfirman said.
For about a week, until the Red Cross was able to set up a shelter at a local church, Graham and Rodrigue were living under a bridge after they were evicted from an apartment above a garage they were renting while Rodrigue, a contractor, was repairing a home. He said they were kicked out when a relative of the owner needed a place to stay after his residence was destroyed in New Orleans.
“Everything that wasn’t ruined by the storm was ruined by him,” Rodrigue said.
“Doing that to somebody during disaster time is against the law,” Graham added.
Many other residents of the town, 60 miles from New Orleans, were no better off. The couple recall many sad images that remain in their minds.
“You’re use to having everything and then it’s all gone,” Graham said. “It’s so hard to explain how seriously bad it was, it was like old survival times.”
Graham and Rodrigue said hunger and thirst took a huge toll on them, and so many others.
“I could hardly see because I was so hungry, Ken had to hold me up,” Graham said.
Since the devastation began, Pfirman said Graham had gone from a clothing size of nine to size one. Rodrigue mentioned he had to start rolling up the waist of his pants to keep them on.
The couple said Marshall law was in full effect and orders were “shoot to kill” any violators. Graham said every solider had a pistol on their hip and a shotgun over the shoulder.
Only until just before they left was power restored. The town still has not been cleaned, other than a few locals who attempted to cut apart trees.
However, amidst all the tragedy, Graham and Rodrigue said the Red Cross also has been a God-send.
“The Red Cross took really good care of us,” Graham said. “We have met many wonderful people.”
While the couple are now residents of Milton, the Red Cross will continue to do all it can to assist them. The couple, so far, has also visited the local thrift store for some much-needed clothing. The pair will be looking to find jobs to get their lives back in order.
“I see things going forward,” Rodrigue said.
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