Okay, so I think I have a new favorite reality show.  Secret Millionaire aired last night.  It’s a show where millionaires go ‘undercover’ as people in need and making a documentary…..and they live for a week on a ‘welfare budget’ (like $100).  During their week they will acclimate themselves with people who are in real need.  At the end of the week they must give away at least $100,000 of their own dough.   (If I ever had money like that, you bet your ass I’d be doing something like this.)

The first episode, a millionaire dude and his son lived with cockroaches and worked to earn money to live.  They met a woman who fell on hard times years earlier and had been homeless.  In the end they gave her a check for $25,000.  They also met a woman who was using her social security money to take in needy people and families (into her own home).  She fed anyone who needed a meal.  In the end they gave her $50,000.  One of the most heart wrenching people they met was a little girl with cancer.  Her family was struggling.  Each parent worked for a small business and the insurance didn’t cover all the expenses they incurred.  You could see the love in the parents eyes and the pain and strain on them as they tried desperately to be strong and keep their composure.  When the millionaires left they gave the family a check for $50,000.

Next episode, because I haven’t shed enough tears in one night.  A millionaire husband and wife take off all their diamonds and pretty clothes (a $2000 suit) and drive to Burras Parish in New Orleans.  (Where the eye of Katrina hit) 

Although they pull up in a realllly nice SUV with soft leather seats, they also are their under the guise of filming a documentary and they themselves are in need, looking for a new start.  They live in a FEMA trailer that smells rank.  They go grocery shopping and have to put things back because they almost spent their whole budget for the week (ah, we wouldn’t have to do that would we ladies?  that’s what happens when you have a real budget!)

They meet a couple from Angel Food Ministries, and went to work helping a Reverend who lost everything (personally and professionally in Katrina) to help re-build people’s homes.   This Reverend spent the last 3 years (yep, it’s been THREE years since Katrina) helping others re-build and they helped him re-build his church.  Now he’s getting help re-building his own home which Katrina wiped off the face of the earth.  Not even one board remained.

They met a football coach for a local high school, who has brought three rival school teams together to form one team.  His name is Coach Crutchfield.  Coach said something poignant:  “Katrina happened on August 29, 2005.  Whatever you are feeling today is better than you felt on August 30, 2005. ”

The millionaire couple then got all gussied up and had to admit to all these people that they had lied to them all week.  With tears in their eyes, they proudly presented a $100,000 check to each of the three people!  The ministry couple, the Reverend and the football coach.  Stunning. 

As the Reverend smiled a wide smile and had tears streaming down his face.  The rich lady cried, I cried, my kids had tears.  I think my dog was even crying.  It was very emotional. 

OMG I cannot fathom why New Orleans is STILL not rebuilt.  I’m wondering if it were Kennebunkport one of those froo-froo places if it wouldn’t be completely finished by now.  How sad.  To see, 3 years after the fact, destruction and devastation still horribly apparent in the shells of homes, churches, stores, schools.   Stacks of debris taking the place of people’s long abandoned hopes and dreams. 

People ask Reverend Turner why he would ever want to re-build after Katrina?  Why?  “Because it’s home”, he says.