Today may mark the anniversary of that fateful day, but today is like every other day in the lives that were directly effected. Each day is filled with the anguish and the loss of a loved one. This day is not
about the memorials constructed, the wreaths laid or the testimonials sited, it is about the people, the people just like you and I that lost their lives for no reason. People of all ethnicities and all religions. Some how though we came through it as a unified force. There are still so many things that need to be done in memory and for the future. We do need to pay tribute with the traditional means like I state above but more has to be done. The first responders of this country need so much more help and I know that the first reponding angels would be smiling if communications between first responders at the time of emergencies was improved vastly. Take a look at this article for more information on that subject 9/11 Commission. More assistance to the families effected. Improvement of health benefits to all of those workers that are with us but suffer from diseases that came directly from the happenings of this terror attack. The list is long and I truly hope that politicians can see through their hearts to extend the help that is needed to further improve the lives that were so deeply altered.
about the memorials constructed, the wreaths laid or the testimonials sited, it is about the people, the people just like you and I that lost their lives for no reason. People of all ethnicities and all religions. Some how though we came through it as a unified force. There are still so many things that need to be done in memory and for the future. We do need to pay tribute with the traditional means like I state above but more has to be done. The first responders of this country need so much more help and I know that the first reponding angels would be smiling if communications between first responders at the time of emergencies was improved vastly. Take a look at this article for more information on that subject 9/11 Commission. More assistance to the families effected. Improvement of health benefits to all of those workers that are with us but suffer from diseases that came directly from the happenings of this terror attack. The list is long and I truly hope that politicians can see through their hearts to extend the help that is needed to further improve the lives that were so deeply altered.
I live outside of NYC, and I remember that day well. The kids went off to school, Joe was off to work and I started to work. I didn’t put the tv on which was unlike me because I like to have it in the background. The phone rang and it was my friend from the UK and Ming asked me if we were ok? My response was yes…why…he said turn on the tv and sit down. My first reaction was…that’s just a movie? That isn’t happening…the second tower was just then hit…shock…fear…disbelief…cold sweat…a whirlwind of emotions and behind it all was that attitude of how could that happen to us??? I felt even more ill because I thought of my friend who worked at the Trade Center??? What is happening to her right now…is she safe? She worked on the 76th floor? I don’t want to keep you in suspense on my friend, she is still with us but such an incredible close call. A difference of 5 minutes would have altered that outcome. Then that crazy reaction of my kids! I hopped into the car and went to the school. I was PTO president at the time and we all worked together for hours on end to get each child back home with their parents. During the whole time though we just didn’t know what was going to happen. The sound of our neighborhood changed — the skies began to get grayer, the continuous humming of choppers in the air sounded and not knowing what was happening or what was going to happen drove us crazy but yet we all worked together. You all know how that day unfolded. I am not going to go over all the details. It is something that I give pause to thought all the time.
I reflect on the time after the attack. In this area of the world life was different. People just seemed more in tune with each other, were softer and more forgiving even though tragedy hit, it seemed like common courtesy made a resurgence, a resurgence that I would like to see as a regular way of life for all. I think that getting more help for those who defend us in times of terror is the greatest tribute we can pay to the lives lost. Putting political differences aside and get the people that were so terribly effected by this horror the help and medical attention they need without all of the specifics and conditions which just boggle my mind. Doing something that will better people’s lives is the way to go for a tribute.
You say to yourself what can I do? Well we can reflect and just try each day of our lives to be a little bit better person. To lend that extra hand. To volunteer at a homeless shelter, an animal shelter, join habitats for humanity, donate even $1.00 to a charity in need, cook a meal for a family that could just need a warm hug, visit a neighbor that is unable to leave their home and would love to share a cup of coffee with someone, a visit to a nursing home, bake a cake for your local volunteer fire house, there are a million and one things you can do, do something that is near and dear to your heart…any little gesture of kindness would improve the world. Little things as much as big things change are a blessing. That is what you can do in their memory. Today After a moment of prayer or reflection just do something nice for some person or animal…small or big… that is a perfect way to pay tribute…each and every day.
I can go on and on but I won’t…I will leave you with a poignant moment from the eyes of my friend Christina. When I asked her what she remembered the most from that day she said that it was when she was in the stairwell going down and she watched the faces of the young men running up the stairs, she said she will remember their faces always, they will be engraved in her memory, she thought how brave, how loving to rush to the aide of your fellow man, but at that moment she knew that they would never come down those stairs and that she said will stay with her for eternity…
Wishing you a day of reflection and the appreciation of life.