I wish I could have her, Texas within Illinois so she could be happy.

After a while, I just dealt with it. I'm just happy he's coming home soon. It really helps that we can e-mail and talk on the phone a lot.

Home was truly the best place he could possibly be, but, alas, was not an available option.

He was originally slated to come home in December, but that didn't work; then it was January 15, and we were like, 'All right,' but then no that's not going to happen so it's kind of like we have to wait and see.

What is home? My favorite definition is "a safe place," a place where one is free from attack, a place where one experiences secure relationships and affirmation. It's a place where people share and understand each other. Its relationships are nurturing. The people in it do not need to be perfect; instead, they need to be honest, loving, supportive, recognizing a common humanity that makes all of us vulnerable.

The family had lost their home, everything in the flooding in southern New Orleans where they (once) lived.