After spending days on boats with men I had never met before until Katrina brought us all together. There was little hope left in me. Certainly, meeting folks from all over the country and the world who made their way to New Orleans just to lend a hand, was inspiring. Many were there as part of a team of rescuers, many like myself were just there because we just couldn't stay home. But, after a few days of sweltering heat, gunshots, death, and more than an army of people could ever do, one man stood out and one man gave us all hope.

Paddling around in a fishing boat was John Hawkins. Raised in the swamps of Mississippi, 50 something year old Mr. Hawkins was putting his skills he learned as a young boy to good use. As a boy, he told us his family caught or grew all their food. They had no electricity, so cooking by fire was the only option. When the floodwaters of New Orleans rose, Hawkins' home was spared. He took his boat and found 19 families who were stranded. His neighborhood grocery store had been looted, but the looters left the frozen food. Not wanting it to go to waste, he took the food and began cooking for the families he found. The families we encountered who were eating Hawkins' food were thankful they were eating, but more than that and as New Orleanian food lovers, thankful his food was so good. The day we met him, he offered us shrimp etoufee.

Looking back, there were countless heros during that tragic time. But, one man stands out for me and the fine men I shared my Katrina days with. John Hawkins. If I ever make it to heaven, I hope I can drop his name at the gate, because they will surely let me in by association. Thank you Mr. Hawkins for giving me hope.