Andrea Damitio:  

Life September 14, 2006 Hi All - After over 25 years in non-profit administration, with a 2 1/2 year stint as the North America Marketing Director for a Danish playground company, I left work to care for my mother who had lung cancer. After her passing, I took a sabbatical to take care of her affairs and some of my own health issues. Planning to go back into the work force January 2006, I took advantage of my time off to volunteer for the American Red Cross to help with Hurricane Katrina. I deployed in October for the standard three weeks. I received a field promotion and was ask to stay for two additional weeks. John (my husband) graciously offered to hold down the fort at home and supported my staying on. As my return date neared, I was asked to stay another two weeks. Then I was asked to stay until Christmas, assuming we should be "done" by then. I worked in Client Services, supervising home visit teams and approving aid funds. Christmas time came and we were not EVEN close to meeting everyone's needs. I was based in Baton Rouge, and our "jurisdiction" was the entire state of Louisiana. I saw the writing on the wall, and agreed to come back and ride it out until the end after a few days home for Christmas with my family. We all didn't think it would be THAT much longer. As February neared, so did John and my 20th wedding anniversary on Valentine's Day. So John got on a plane and worked with me side by side (he trained with me prior to my deployment) for our anniversary week. It was the best! Giving back and helping others with my soul mate!!! I ended up returning at th...Expand for more