My parents were born and raised in New Orleans and my siblings and I were all born there as well. When I was in elementary school, my family moved from Louisiana so my Dad could find work. From there, we lived in Mississippi, then Florida for several years and then I finished up high school in Texas. All that time, without realizing it, I never felt at home. It wasn't that I didn't have friends or that I wasn't happy, but something was off. This feeling stopped when I attended LSU for college and everything made sense. I finally felt like I was right where I belong; it was like I was tapping in to roots I had forgotten were there. To this day, when I cross the Atchafalaya bridge, the feeling rushes back to me.
Maybe I am biased, but there is something about Louisiana that you can't get anywhere else. I have lived in several states throughout my life, but there is no state that I have lived in yet that has the culture that Louisiana has: the food, Mardi Gras, the hospitality, the people, the music, the football, the crawfish boils, Antebellum homes, New Orleans...I could go on forever. Louisiana undoubtedly has a culture of having a good time. Seriously, which other state has their own holiday that they celebrate for almost a month? If there is one, I would have to google it to realize it, but who has to google Mardi Gras? Where else in this country can you walk down a street at twelve in the afternoon to find people drinking, laughing and listening to live music? I bet I don't even have to tell you that the street I'm talking about is Bourbon. I have visited many places, but not one has even near the quality of delicious cooking that Louisiana has. It is truly a unique place and I have yet to find a place to match it. Which leads me to explain why I am thankful for my #3.
Throughout these last four insufferable years, I have not lived in Louisiana. However, I visit there at least once a year. Whether it be for Mardi Gras, to see my parents, to visit my college friends, for a family reunion, to attend a wedding or like this past weekend, for a bachelorette party, Louisiana is a great place for a vacation. The great thing about Louisiana is not only do I feel like I can act more myself, but I forget about all my worries and my current predicament. It takes my mind off of the situation and I can just relax and have a good time. When I go there I am too busy shopping at the local shops, partying, eating and visiting with family and friends to think of anything else but the moment. It is one of my biggest distractors and I am so thankful.
I love Louisiana and I am proud to call it my true home. I have seen a decline of Louisiana in some ways in my own lifetime and this saddens me. I was living there for Hurricane Katrina and saw the devastation it caused. In a lot of ways, New Orleans still has not recovered. However, despite the negative aspects of Louisiana, I really feel that they are all outweighed by the positives. I have not lived there in years, but deep down, I know I will find my way back there eventually.
"I guess I feel that I was following my instincts, and at the same time being guided by the best. I became totally intrigued with Louisiana - the people, the food. It is a part of my life. Everything that has happened for me since moving here has just been icing on the cake." ~Emeril Lagasse
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