On Tuesday I wrote “10 Reasons You Should Take Your Kids to Mardi Gras” and was thrilled that my list resonated with so many of you. Reading the comments from others has been my favorite part – it’s wonderful that so many people relate. But after reading the story about Emily Mueller I felt compelled to add a bonus #11 to my list:
11). Because New Orleans Made It Right
Many of you are probably familiar with the story of Emily Mueller, an 11-year old girl from the north shore who’s Mardi Gras was ruined by one drunk man’s horrible comments. Her mom wrote about it on her blog (you can read her words here). When I first read this story I felt sick. While our family’s Mardi Gras experience was happy and positive, Emily’s was the exact opposite. #8 on my list is “Because Every Kid Should Feel Special,” but unfortunately Emily left the Muses parade that Thursday night feeling anything but. Terrible. And if the story ended there, it would be heartbreaking.
But of course, this is New Orleans — and the residents weren’t about to let things end on such a negative note. Instead, they pulled together to give Emily a truly amazing, personalized experience (if you haven’t read the story click here). The way Muses, 610 Stompers and many, many others pulled together to make things right for one little girls is truly moving. People donated their time and resources to make sure Emily got that special feeling every kid deserves. Thanks to their actions Emily now has positive, magical memories of Mardi Gras.
To me, this story accurately highlights the true spirit of Carnival. Unfortunately, the sad truth is there are a few bad eggs everywhere. You can’t escape ‘em. But the way the city came together to make things right for one little girl speaks volumes about the true meaning of Mardi Gras. New Orleans won’t tolerate that kind of crap. And that makes me proud.
[...] after reading a very moving story from New Orleans, I felt compelled to add a Bonus #11 to the [...]
I am a native New Orleanian who watched my Grandfather ride in REX as a little girl with my 6 siblings and many cousins and am a Mardi Gras junkie!!! I just commented that at almost 60 and almost that many Mardi Gras, I have never seen a bare breasted woman. I just experienced another wonderful Mardi Gras on St. Charles Avenue where we had 4 hotel rooms and stayed from Friday to Wednesday with my grandchildren, grown children, their spouses and spouses families. We were multigenerations playing together, catching beads, dancing to bands, standing on ladders filled with grandchildren, eating on the Avenue, visiting local restaurants, and making a visit to the Aquarium after Lundi Gras on the River. It is the best show on earth where you are actually part of the performance! It is inexplicable and I can’t believe I saw your post on fb because I could have written it myself. DITTO to all you said! Thanks for the positive PR for a city that the natives won’t let be taken over by a few bad eggs and unfortunately street thugs who give the city a black eye in the news! Most New Orleanians are like the heros who did a Mulligan for Emily Mueller after Muses parade. There is a wonderful pride and love of our culture you will not find any where else in the world! Please keep spreading the word about the good things about Mardi Gras and New Orleans. And now that Mardi Gras is over, there are St. Patrick’s Day Parades, Irish Italian, Spring Festival, Jazz Fest, St. Joseph’s Day Altars all over town, etc., etc. There is always something to celebrate in New Orleans as we celebrate LIFE! Best Wishes to you and your beautiful family!
Thanks for the idea. I had never considered taking the whole family there. I went there for Mardi Gras and a Sugar Bowl when I was in college and was so impressed I painted houses in the French Quarter between my Junior and Senior year. I think this is a great idea.