Dear Family and Friends,

Oh my gosh, the word has just been passed around that the Red River has begun to recede. Yesterday, we Red Cross volunteers at the hotel)thought we might be evacuating our hotel; I was even told to get waders instead of boots to navigate through the snow and ice, but now it seems the news is beginning to turn around. However, we were told that things could change any time so we shouldn't get too complacent. The sun is out, the skies are blue and life looks so much better.

As a member of the Red Cross Disaster Team, I am one of many Red Cross volunteers from all over the country helping clients from southern Fargo in a shelter of 120 folks. I was a part of a team of four who were responsible for registering each person who came into the shelter. The folks we are serving are we special needs adults of all ages in wheel chairs and those with mental health issues. These folks are incredible! It seems to me that those who seem to have lost so much are the most grateful. Even in the midst of such adversity and after sitting on a bus for many hours, waiting to be evacuated, their spirits never failed. WOW! What a lesson for me about patience and the beauty of the human spirit.

It's time for lunch...you know they want lunch as soon as breakfast is over..how dear they are. I've got to go and help. I'll write more later. Just heard NBC news is in the common room, so perhaps we'll be on the evening news.

Hugs to all..
Patty