I did not expect this trip to be both frustrating and fulfilling.
Frustrating because much of New Orleans is still a blighted, impoverished mess, and we couldn't fix it. Not in a week, or a month, or a year. Because my planting 50 trees is not going to slow the next storm. Frustrating because sanding spackling on sheet rock does not complete a home. And because two days of clearing out and storing all the junk Mr. West hoarded in his house wasn't enough even to empty the house, let alone to demolish the interior and rebuild it.
But the trip was fulfilling at the same time. Because together with other groups we planted thousands of trees that WILL slow down the next storm. Because sanding is part of making a new home, and making it beautiful for someone who'll be proud to live in it. Because other groups in the coming weeks will clear out Mr. West's house, and demolish it, and re-build it - and while we were there, our team was truly greater than the sum of our individual parts. (We couldn't have done it without the amazing strength of a neighbor and ex-con named Glenn - but he couldn't have done it without us, either.)
And because tree by tree, house by house, person by each blessed person who feels valued by our visit, New Orleans can be restored, or at least, improved.
The trip improved me, as well. I'm proud that my son Zev joined me. I'm grateful for the opportunity to do a mitzvah with him and with all of us.
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