Why would anyone want to live in Louisiana?

Why would anyone want to live in Louisiana?

That’s the question that many seem to be asking.

Why would anyone want to live in a place that continues to flood and destroy so many lives?

Aside from the (however unintentional) heartless insensitivity that accompanies this question, it’s pretty much the equivalent of kicking people when they’re already down. And it’s not acceptable.

Baton Rouge flooding – U.S. Coast Guard photo

One could respond by asking why anyone would want to live in California with its earthquakes and wildfires, or in Oklahoma with its tornadoes or in many of the northern states that are subjected to harsh winter weather and blizzards. But to ask such would be equally inappropriate.

Or one could point out that the flooding of August 2016 was an unprecedented anomaly, a “500-year flood” affecting areas that have never flooded to such an extent in the past, caused by over two feet of rainfall—an estimated 6.9 trillion gallons of water—over a three-day period. It’s an occurrence that could happen anywhere in the world with similar results.

Or one could answer the question with this simple truth: we live here because it’s home.

And when we say “home,” we don’t just mean the house in which we lay our heads to rest. Our home is a place where roots grow deep. A culture of compassion. A community where family values are rock solid and kindness is second nature. It’s a land filled with people who refuse to give up when the going gets tough.

Resilience runs through our veins.

But most of all, it’s a state in which people stand united and look out for each other. Because in Louisiana, everyone is family. If not by birth, by happenstance .

We wave to people we don’t know as we drive past them. We greet friends with hugs and ask, “How’s your mama an’ dem?” And when we ask, it’s not just pleasantry, we really want to hear the answers. If you’re not feeling well, we’ll show up on your doorstep bearing hot soup and TLC. And if you suffer a loss, we provide a kind heart and a listening ear while wiping away your tears.

But it’s during our darkest hours that we shine brightest. You’ll see neighbors helping neighbors, strangers becoming family and, perhaps most endearing of all, you’ll notice the people who have lost the most are the ones working hardest to help others. It’s just how we roll.

Why would anyone want to live in Louisiana?

Because you’ll never find better people anywhere in the world.

We don’t say “Let me know if I can do anything to help.” We rally our people and then we show up with food and drink, tools and supplies, and most of all, with love. (Want to see this love in action? Google #CajunNavy and #CajunArmy.)

It doesn’t matter if we know you. We are you.

We have been to the depths of hell with Hurricanes Katrina and Wilma, Camille and Betsy and so many other storms, both named and unnamed, throughout our history. We have experienced the agony of losing everything, some more than once.

Yet we stand strong. Because, by God, we are Louisiana.

Unbreakable.

Resolved.

Proud.

But sometimes even the proudest of people know when to admit we can use a little help.

So as much as it hurts our hearts, we ask. And the response is a heartfelt gratitude unlike anything you’ve ever experienced. We call that “Louisiana Love.”

So why would we want to live here? The truth is, those who do can’t imagine living anywhere else. Because when it comes right down to it, where we live is a huge part of who we are. We are kind and we are determined. We are warriors, regardless of the circumstances. And if ever you have the chance to meet any of the many who have survived Mother Nature’s wrath, and hear their incredible stories of overcoming seemingly insurmountable challenges, then you’ll understand.

You won’t hear the stories about how much they have lost. You’ll learn how they rose above it.

And that’s what we mean when we say, “Louisiana Strong.”

We live here because it’s where we belong. And nothing, or no one, can ever wash that away.