The Campbells came rolling into town tonight around 5:45 p.m. - a rental truck and a van full of people and stuff. They towed their old van up from Louisiana, with "Hurricane Evacuees, Colorado! --->" emblazoned on the side. Meeting the Campbells is something I'll remember forever as one of the best moments of my life. Seeing them so happy, so relieved, was such a heartwarming thing. These are sweet people, folks that I would enjoy getting to know regardless of circumstance. Their children are adorable.

The neighbors saw the writing on the side of the van, and they all came out to introduce themselves and to offer to help with anything needed. (One family even came bearing a freshly baked pumpkin pie!) They all helped carry in things the Campbells brought with them - an interesting assortment of items they had salvaged. I have to say they have a lovely collection of potted ficus trees that they managed to save!

As the neighbor boys helped unload the truck, Madeline and I chatted as she heated spaghettios for the kids. My daughters (being kids like most kids) decided they *really* wanted spaghettios too (although I rolled my eyes, since I had just fed them at home), and Madeline was happily ladling out the goods to her 6 and my 2 - quite the crew all together! My girls really enjoyed playing with their new friends (the Campbell kids wasted no time in making use of all those great toys!), and Sarah (my oldest) invited three of their oldest girls over to our place for a sleepover next weekend. It was nice to see everyone so thrilled to meet each other.

Dennis and Madeline are quite simply amazed and overwhelmed by the kindness being shown to them here. Lots of hugs went around, and I know I had to gulp more than a few times to keep from crying for joy. The Campbells would love to get together with anyone who would like to come to the potluck picnic I had mentioned - we're going to aim for next Saturday, starting in the early evening (perhaps 5:00). I'll send details around (with location, etc.) to the e-mail listserve once it's settled.

As I gathered my daughters to get them back to our van and home for the night, Dennis came outside and looked at their van with the Louisiana license plates and "Hurricane Evacuees" written on its side. He said that now they can wash the lettering off; they're not evacuees anymore. They're home.