Mari Lombardo:
CLASS OF 1986
Bay High SchoolClass of 1986
Bay st. louis, MS
Long Beach High SchoolClass of 1989
Long beach, MS
Mari's Story
Life
5/2004 It's hard to believe it's been nearly 17 years since I left Mississippi. Even though I moved to California, my heart always stayed in the south. Years ago, some issues tainted my memories and love of my hometown, but the allegations were finally unfounded and I put that part of my life behind me and focused on starting my life over in California. I've been a kindergarten teacher for 8 years and can't imagine doing anything else. I have a 3 year old & next week we celebrate his birthday. He has completly changed my life. He is head strong and opinionated, gee, I wonder were he gets that from? I look at him and see my high school stunts flash before my eyes and realize he is going to give me a run for my money in a few years. There is nothing like being put in your place by a toddler.
6/2005
It's been a year since I posted this bio and since then I was promoted to school program director and oversee 9 schools. It's a big change from being in the classroom, but it's always a challenge and allows me to have a more flexible work schedule to be with my son, who turned 4 last month.
If someone would have told me 5 years ago I'd be trading in my Cosmo magazine for Parents magazine, rock music for The Wiggles Soundtrack, Horror movies for Disney films and Friday night with the gang to Friday night at Chuck E. Cheese I would have laughed my behind off, but here I am and it fits and it's made me more humble and grounded. In the last 9 years, I've battled Lupus and Cancer and even though somedays I think I can't gather the energy to walk to the coffee machine I see my son and those aches and pains seem to disappear because I know he comes first. It's amazing to think someone can change not only your life, but entire being. I never thought when I was back at Bay Sr High, that the greatest acomplishment of my life would be a child.
I have a great life, friends and support system in California, but I do miss the gulf coast.
9/2005
I'm so broken hearted about H...Expand for more
urricane Katrina's damage. From the photos and contacts I've talked to the Bay destroyed. It's weird but I feel like I'm greiving the loss of my childhood and those who still call the Gulf Coast home. I also hate that so many who live and survived the hurricane will probably not be able to afford to rebuild and be bought out by big developers that will forever change the coast and turn it into a vacation community for the wealthy. It's just so wrong for so many to have lost their homes, families, friends, memories and jobs in the blink of an eye. I remember the stories when I was growing up about "Camile" but it always seemed like a myth. It couldn't possibly happen again, but it did and it was worse than anyone could have imagined. I do what I can from here with clothing, food and money donations and drives, but it just never seems like enough to make a difference when I hear about the many who are still homeless and forgotten by the media. All the emphasis was on New Orleans and not MS. There are still a few relatives and friends on the missing lists, but not knowing is the worst. Are they out there and can I help?
2/2006
The last few months BSL has been on my mind daily. I'm planning on visiting later this month to come to grips with the destruction and loss of the coast and the memories I have of it. I guess I feel it would be closure on what was my hometown and childhood. I may sound selfish, but I need to see it. I want to help in any way I can. A friend told me the other day that I've lived in Callifornia as long as I lived in Mississippi, so how can I refer to it as my home.... I guess home really is where your heart is.
3/3/06 I visited BSL and the Ms Gulf Coast last week. Words cannot comprehend the destruction and emptiness there. I went to the Pass parade last Sunday and broke down crying watching the people brave out the surroundings and attempt some fun. I went to BSL that Monday and just cried as I walked down Beach Blvd. and my old neighborhood.
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