Mardi Gras

Almost everyone knows Mardi Gras means Fat Tuesday and
a lot of people know it's the day before Lent begins,
but fewer people know that Mardi Gras began in Mobile,
Alabama before it ever began in New Orleans.

Today is Mardi Gras. Mobile is celebrating.
There are parades, floats, bands and lots of people.
Why? Because it's time to party.

Tomorrow we fast. But, underneath the jubilation there's
another reason to celebrate. The south is recovering.
Oh, there's still a great deal to be done, but it
is getting done. The Coast is rebuilding - slowly.
The streets of Mobile are no longer inundated. Much
of the mess of Katrina has been removed. Most of the
beautiful old oak trees are still standing, some with
branches missing, but still shading Government Street.

No, it's time to forget the past and be glad we have
today. There's no telling what this summer will bring.
We can only pray that this summer the winds will be kind,
the waters temperate, the storms only a memory.

Happy Mardi Gras!

Allison

"Simon's Brides" available in May '06
from Wings-Press. To view the
cover of "Simon's Brides" visit
www.allisonknight.com