Published January 1, 2025

Waking up to the horrific news from New Orleans shook me. And brought back an awful memory.

I was a student at a seminary near New Orleans in 1982 when a man drove on Bourbon Street and injured at least eight people.

There was a group of students that invited me to join them for a Friday night out in the city, but I declined. I said I might go the next night if they returned. They didn’t. That night haunted me for the longest time.

The incident prompted the city to put up barricades in the quarter. I understand some of the protections weren’t up or were being upgraded at the time of this latest attack.

Oh, and yes, we were seminarians, but we were young, we liked music, having a drink or two, being among regular people and blowing off steam. Some people have a hard time understanding that.

I have a hard time understanding why someone would do what these drivers did.

My earlier post today was supposed to be it for me until later this month, as I am still healing, but I can’t stop thinking about the many layers to this. And my early post was written and scheduled long ago, and I’d all but forgotten it existed. Back to bed I go.

Here’s hoping you get through this new year safely.

Bourbon Street photo by travelview via Shutterstock.