In spring of 2004, when James found out that Tim and I were making a research trip to the Mississippi Gulf Coast for THREE FORTUNES, among the things he told us to do was visit the Friendship Oak on the campus of the University of Southern Mississippi-Gulf Coast in Long Beach. Legend has it that friends who stand together under the oak will remain friends for life.
The live oaks of the coast, including Friendship, became part of the story in our novel, and after Katrina, I knew some of them must have sustained terrible damage and others would be gone. In attempting to get photographic details of the coastal towns, I found Shawn Lea’s blog, Everything and Nothing. (Shawn’s family’s homes in Gulfport and Waveland were among those destroyed.)
This “bliendship,” as bloggers call the friends they make through their blogs, has progressed beyond just getting my Mississippi updates. I enjoy Shawn’s selections of poetry, photos, cultural events, T-shirts, family news, travel accounts, recipes, and oh, the many cool gadgets and products she finds.
Yesterday, she linked to a Sun Herald article on “Before and After,” which includes the paper’s photos of specific sites, buildings, and homes before and after Katrina. The paper has compiled them into a book that can be purchased, but they are also available to see individually online.
Of course, the photos are heartbreaking, but many of the articles that accompany them present the stoic attitude of coastal residents and their determination to rebuild what has been lost.
But you can’t rebuild a tree, and when I saw an “after” photo of Counselor, a famous Biloxi oak, my heart sank. I had very little hope for Friendship, because I knew the college campus was badly damaged.
Then, down the list of photos, I saw Friendship Oak in Long Beach. According to the article, calls asking about Friendship are the first they get after any hurricane.
Here are photos from the trip I took with Tim. I read that although the tree has been damaged, it still stands. I dream of the day when Friendship’s limbs will once again be hidden by a rich profusion of leaves; its acorns sent into the world to replenish the tree population; and beneath its branches, friends will whisper secrets and vow their lifelong loyalty.
How wonderful. I love trees like that. My husband said that one of his co-workers was classified as a “tree hugger” the other day, and he spoke up and said, “So’s my wife.” It’s true.
NOTE: Please check your post office in a day or so. 🙂
These pictures were super.
don’t know if it is the stress of packing and moving — but this made me sob
Poor Marika–go and hug the Dash Dog, and know that you are about to become part of the wonderful rebuilding of the Gulf Coast.
pictures like the one of the little house always bring me to tears. It’s a reminder of how much needs to be done and makes me realize how fortunate I am.
Ah, Beck, how nice to see other pics of Tim away from the Compound…and thanks for posting the pics and info. I had wondered about the Friendship Oak…but never checked on it because I was afraid to. And it will be back, as will the Gulf Coast, just as lovely as it was before.
A tree, and a historical marker too. I just added that to my “must-see” list.
Bliends Forever
Wow. Thanks for the mention. I never knew that you found me searching for hurricane-related stuff. Something good did come out of all the mess after all then! 😉 I’m heading to the Coast on Father’s Day weekend and I’ll post all the pictures I take on my blog.
Shawn Lea
http://everythingandnothing.typepad.com