Local mom and professional photographer, Kim Lemaire, was asked to join children's book author Mark Hoog and photograph his journey, as he traveled to Mississippi, with a special delivery for the kids who had survived Katrina. This is her story:

"Mom, I can't believe it's still this bad." My nine year old daughter is speaking about the wreckage on the side of the road, the buildings without roofs, and the trees lying on their side with their roots exposed. We are driving from New Orleans Airport to Mississippi over a year after Katrina devastated these same grounds.

We are here at the request of our friend, Mark Hoog. Mark is a family man with a wonderful wife, Kristi and three beautiful children. He is an airline pilot for United. Mark began his writing career after his close friend and mentor Jason Dahl was killed while he was flying the United 93 jet on 9/11. "Jason always told me I had the power to make a difference. He also always reminded me to tell my family I loved them." Mark was the person United asked to inform Jason's wife and 13-year-old son of the Flight 93 crash. "For two years, I was numb. I thought about the eulogy his son had read. He read, The Goodnight Book, by Dr. Seuss. Jason's son had said his dad always told him he loved him, especially before he left for a trip." That is why the theme in all of Mark's children's books is to tell kids that they are special, and most of all, loved.

Mark's book, Your Song, lets children know that they can find their gifts and talents no matter what the circumstance. It reminds every child that they have their own voice and their own personal strength. In the aftermath of Katrina, Mark and Kristi wanted to do something. Mark wanted to share this message with the children who survived the hurricanes. So he took Your Song into classrooms in his hometown of Denver to read to the kids. He then asked the Denver students to write whatever they felt, to a child in Mississippi. Their letters were honest and inspiring. They had drawings and stickers and they were written from the heart, a child's heart. He went on to contact the schools in Hancock County, Mississippi. His plan was to bring the children's letters, and give the kids an opportunity to be pen pals. As well as, give every child in the first, second, and third grade classes their very own copy of Your Song.

On September 27th, Mark and his family, my two children, and I went to the schools in Mississippi to hear Mark read his newest book, The Dream Machine, and to see Mark present the books and letters to the students. We were greeted with open arms. The classroom was filled with anxious children, sitting criss-cross and swaying back and forth. They welcomed us with a cheer and their teacher, Mrs. Foster introduced Mark. She then said to the class, "Even if Katrina took everything away from us, what can't it take?" In unison they yelled, "Our hearts!" Never had words been so true.

They loved listening to The Dream Machine. Mark showed them the sketches that will be included in the new book and he asked for their ideas, for the story's ending. The kids were thrilled to receive their very own copy of Your Song. They had Mark sign it and then he read what children far, far away in Denver had written to them. They presented us with gifts they made with their hands and sang us songs from the South.

We then visited BB's Bar-B-Que and Snak Shak, where we were treated to the best Southern food and met a family we will never forget. Tommy and Judi Brooks, along with their son Brian, lost their home and half of their restaurant, but they haven't lost their spirit or their Southern Hospitality. They "loved us up," with everything under the sun, shared their stories and wouldn't let us pay for a thing. They thanked Mark for speaking to the children and told us that some of those babies we met at the school had floated on pieces of wood for up to ten hours during the storm. Kristi and I cried, first at the thought of any child experiencing that type of situation, and then we cried as mothers.

We returned to Gulfview/Murphy Elementary (schools combined after the storm), where we were outside in 85-degree weather, and Mark spoke to 4 more groups of children and their teachers. These incredible teachers, who have also lost so much, must be acknowledged for loving and educating these darling children with special care. Almost all of the children at this school have lost their homes, their belongings, and several have lost parents. Some are finally, reunited with their parents and some are still in foster care. Despite the weather, some wore heavy jackets and didn't take them off, since their mommas told them not to lose them. It's the only one they have. Their little, flushed faces laughed as they answered Mark's questions. He delivered the story over and over again as if it were the first time, never losing his enthusiasm and making every child feel special.

Mark Hoog is a fantastic writer who freely hands out his books, hugs, and high fives. His mission to connect the children in other cities with the children of Katrina is both incredibly important and commendable.

These children who have experienced so much loss and have seen way too many things in their young years are the future of Mississippi, they are the new voice of the South, and Mississippi couldn't be in better hands.

I feel completely blessed that my children were able to be a part of this project. We have all come away from this with a new appreciation of our luxuries here on the peninsula. They have already asked when they can go back. My husband and I have always taught our children to "not just take up space that they were made for a reason, and to make a difference". They finally understood the words they had been taught. I am forever grateful.

To view a slide show of this trip, and to get involved personally in the gulf coast rebuilding process- visit www.lettersfromkatrina.com

Mark Hoog is currently working on publishing the letters written by the children in a book entitled, Letters From Katrina. 100% of the proceeds from this book, which speaks on compassion, empathy, contribution, community, faith and friendship, will go directly to schools and children affected in Mississippi. Mark's other books including Your Song and The Dream Machine can be purchased via his website at www.growingfield.com, from all book stores, and from Amazon.com.

You can learn more about Kim Lemaire and her work at www.ensemble-productions.com. We are so thankful to Kim for sharing her story with Monterey Bay Parent. We also would love to hear your stories. We want to know what local families are doing to make a difference, whether it's reaching out to our community or a community far away. Write to us at info@mbparent.com