Those of us who no longer live in southern Mississippi or Alabama or Louisiana and have been glued to CNN or MSNBC or whatever national news we could find, searching the internet for news of loved ones or news in general and seeing the horrors that have befallen people we cherish and people we don't even know can hardly get our minds around what is happening. The looters, armed roving gangs, rapes and murders are almost impossible to comprehend. The government's lack of preparedness will be debated for years to come.

But, in the midst of this vicariously traumatic experience, I have noticed a few things happening. On the global scene, I hear that Canada is committing 1000 troops and part of their navy to our rescue, Australia has sent $7.7 million to the American Red Cross, Japan has sent $200,000 to the Red Cross and another $300,000 in supplies and equipment. Even tiny Sri Lanka, still reeling from the December 26 tsunami that claimed so many, has pledged $25,000 to the American Red Cross.

In Hattiesburg, I hear about people who run out of gas in line waiting to buy $20 worth of gasoline. And, I hear about men getting out of their cars and pushing the dead car forward in the line until its driver gets her turn at the pump. I hear about a family who has been blessed with resources from relatives who have come to their rescue and their 5 year old son putting ice and water and loaves of bread in his little wagon and taking them to the neighbors including an elderly single woman across the street. I hear about a faculty member loaning his car to another faculty couple who lost both of their vehicles to Katrina. I know a 25 year old whose home was destroyed along with his roommates car. He works for Red Cross and is running the logistics for the Pine Belt. He sleeps on a cot in his office. His roommate volunteers for the Red Cross. They work 16 and 18 hour days.

A Salvation Army employee in her 60's is working 16 hour days to be sure refugees get fed a warm meal. Eighteen young men from North Carolina here to cut trees off of lines so power can be restored sleep on the tarmac at the airport. After three days without a shower, a neighborhood they are working in show their gratitude by inviting them into their homes for a "trickle" shower (before full water service was restored). A woman waiting on line for the gas truck to show up doesn't want to lose her place but needs to check on her mother across the street at Wesley. A stranger of a different race offers to call her cell when the truck shows up. Race doesn't matter. Age doesn't matter. Economic condition makes no difference. People help people.

Cities are taking thousands of evacuees and trying to make them comfortable. People are paying for and giving up hotel rooms and football tickets for their brothers and sisters in crisis. Colleges across America are admitting students who are displaced and finding space for displaced faculty. Admission requirements are relaxed. Financial aid is made available. The academy is protecting its own.

There's plenty negative about this crisis. There are bad people taking advantage of a bad situation. There are good, but desperate, people stealing water and juice and soda from stores to keep from dehydrating.

But, around the world there are angels coming to our aid. And, tonight, Hattiesburg is filled with angels. In the dark, muggy night, bright angels are trying to sleep and wondering how together they will get through tomorrow. They are my heroes.

Maybe I'm a sap. I don't care. The horror of Katrina has touched our lives and changed the lives of many for years to come. But the goodness of humanity, the spirit of free people, the gracious hospitality of kindred spirits touches us in a deeper place. It reaches into my soul and gives me hope.

I'm proud to have claimed Hattiesburg and Southern Miss as my home for 2 years. I miss the angels that are there.