Mardi Gras serves a great purpose

Mardi Gras has come and gone and must go down in history as one of the most successful.

Not that the floats were more beautiful than ever. Not that the costumes were more dazzling and spectacular. Not that the beads were glitzier.

It was the most successful because it happened. And we needed it.

It helped put the Hurricane Katrina aftermath in the background. At last, we’re getting normal again. We’re acting like clowns, pirates and grotesque monsters - - everything we’re supposed to be acting like during carnival.

Here in St. Charles, our parades went on especially well. Many floats and many riders and many throws brought enjoyment to many Saturday and Sunday in Luling and Des Allemands as the Krewes of Lul and Allemands made the rounds. And the crowds of people that lined the routes appreciated it.

Now that Mardi Gras is over, we can get serious again. The Lenten season is upon us and it is a good time to reflect on our experiences of the past months - - how they helped or hurt us and how we can benefit from them in the future in making our lives better.

We still have a lot of work to do to complete the task of repairing the damages. But let us not forget that we must go on living the good life.

And keeping Mardi Gras as one of our annual events has helped us do it.