Never Forget

Tuesday, September 11, 2001.  What a gorgeous beginning to the morning.  The week prior and the weekend had been so hot and humid, but that day dawned, in my part of Pennsylvania, as clear, cool with deep blue skies and sunshine that was just perfect.  i remember walking into work, gazing up at the sky and taking in a deep, deep breath of the early morning air.  A perfect day.

How was i, or anyone, to know that less than one hour from then it would not be a perfect day at all.  It would be a hellish, horrible, scary and confusing day.  A day that never seemed to end but with darkness, new fears arose and nightmares had to be conquered.  i don't remember going to bed that night - though i'm sure i must have slept at some time.  The TV was on constantly, flipping from news station to news station, praying that someone had good news...crying...praying more...

And if it was bad for me, for those at the scenes ...well, i can't even comprehend.

Tuesday, September 11, 2007.  It's still dark as i write.  The air is cool but i have no idea what the weather will be.  my thoughts are of another day, not in fear this time, but in quiet remembrance.  i think often of those on Flight 93 who were heroes like none i've even known.  Brave Men.  Brave woman. Did they hope for a chance to survive or did they know?  Did they know and do what they did anyway?  Can you imagine how many lives they saved with their actions?  Has the term "Let's Roll" ever been as precious? 

So many lives, to this day, that are forever changed.  Never forget.

Never forget that all political crap and crud aside we banded, as countrymen, to help each other.  Neverforget the kindness of complete strangers during those days, knowing that your grief was shared by so many.  Never forget the times spent in prayer to God for healing, for understanding, for protection.  Never forget the incredible work of those rescuers...the firemen, the policemen, the rescue dogs, the ones who had to clean up the mess, knowing that they were on sacred ground. Never forget.

Take some time today to go to church or a memorial service or even just to pray quietly.  Reflect on the good things of our country.  Ask for God's continual blessing and protection.  Search your own heart to see how you can make your community a better place.  Go gently today. 

And never, ever forget.

It's a Parade

As i'm typing this, there is a parade going by on the street next to mine.  It's not the best one my town holds but it's a favourite of the children (truth be told, most of the adults too) because all the participants throw tons and tons of candy.  It's one where most of the labor unions walk down and a few bands and of course all the fire, police and rescue vehicles (sirens blaring) from all the neighboring towns.

It's loud, it's fun, it's Labor Day.

Two things that come to mind with this parade - when the National Guard and the Marines march past, not only does one's heart swell in pride for those who serve our country, but also i stop and pray for those in the Persian Gulf as well as those stationed in all parts of the world.  Whether or not one agrees with why they are where they are - they still deserve to be prayed over and for.  That God would keep them safe.  That He would hold them in the palm of His hand.  That they would stick to the code of honor and be ethically prudent when dealing with local people.  That God would heal their wounds as many of them have had to use their weapons - fatally.

The other is all the sirens.  Ever since September 2001, i have viewed those Men and women in a totally different light.  Most volunteer to serve.  Some are paid. my personal view is that they should all be paid somehow because they risk, willingly, life and limb to help others. If you ever find yourself in the misfortune to be in a car accident or have a house fire, nothing looks quite as good or safe as those in the fire trucks and rescue vehicles.  As if one can say in the midst of tragedy:  all will be ok, the firemen are here...or the ambulance arrive...or the police just pulled up.  i've said it before that what breaks my heart the most about 9/11/01 isn't so much the terror -although don't get me wrong - that STILL hurts - but what gets me is how the fire personnel responded.  They had no idea that they wouldn't come down from the towers bringing survivors with them.  How could they know that those strong imposing buildings would collapse?  Yet, i wonder how many would go up KNOWING that they wouldn't make it out?  If they knew they would save others, probably most, if not all, would have done exactly what they did.

This country is far from perfect, we all know that, but there are reasons to be very proud of what she has mothered.

Have a great Labor Day and go enjoy a parade!!

A Child's Love

Today, while i was at work, the phone rang and i answered it in my normal business tone.  i heard, in the background, "Ok, now say 'Hi Auntie'"  and a lovely little voice said just that.

It was the three year old niece.  she was phoning from my sister's house to tell me that she got a card for me (and one for Andrea and grandma and grandpa and great-grandma and Aunt Lynne and on and on).  It was so much fun to talk with her.  i asked her if she knew that Grandma and Grandpa (my folks) were coming down to see her all the way from Pennsylvania and she said "Yes.  Are you coming too?"

my heart about broke.  i can't go.  i'm staying here to care for the younger siblings so that my folks can go.  i wanted to say 'yes' i wanted to say that i'd be right down all the way to Florida just for her. 

But she seemed to understand and seemed happy that i was going to send some e-cards toher (she loved it) and then i got an email from her.  It said:

Dear Auntie:

i love you....that's all

love

(her full name)... 

 

i love you.  That's all.

That's all that needs to be said.  A child's sweet wonderful love.  That's all.

It filled my heart.

Dearest Emma,

i love you too.  You have brought our family so much joy.  You remind me so much of your daddy when he was a little boy but thankfully have alot of your mother's wonderful qualities.  i cannot imagine my life without your sweet face, those Irish blue eyes and those curls that bounce when you run.  i love that you are so girlie but aren't afraid to play in mud puddles or climb things.  You are so very smart and funny and say things that children twice your  age don't understand.

There is so much more to say but as you said.

i love you.  That's all.

Love,

Auntie

Did you just call me a Diva???

i've had an incredibly stressful but very productive week thus far.  The end is soon in sight and i find myself with a little bit of down time on Thursday night.  i was talking to my co-workers, who are having the same kind of week as i, that on Thursday night, i was going to take a bubble bath, get in between the sheets, with pillows piled behind me and page through the newest edition of Vogue (have you seen it?  it's huge!!!).

my one co-worker looked at me and said, "I don't know.  Sounds like a Diva to me!"

We all erupted into gales of laughter.  i don't think anyone has ever called me a Diva before...but on Thursday - i'm gonna be one!

 

giggles...

A Taste of Autumn

This morning, i woke early.  i woke because i was slightly cold - the sheet wrapped around me offered little cover for the 64F breeze that was blowing my curtains at almost gale force winds (i take a wee bit of literary freedom here)..but it was chilly.

i looked outside and saw the most brilliant blue skies and early bright sun that gives a prelude for a perfect day.  From what the weather man says, it's only going to be in the low 80's today, with low humidity.  Just like the most perfect October day. 

my cat, Moses, is running from the back of the house to the front - checking out the breeze and if he does a back flip in the dining room, i won't be surprised.  It's amazing to me how weather affects animals almost as much (or more so, if you're a dairy cow) as humans.

Anyway - today...have much to do- and can do it all with a spring in my step enjoying the weather instead of hiding from it.  i feel most alive on days like this.  Reminds of my favourite time of the year: Autumn.

(i'm almost in the mood to have some cider and bake a pumpkin pie...)

Homeward Bound

It's hot.  And humid.  And hazy.  The three "H's" of summer.  This summer has reminded me of summers of my childhood and to say i've enjoyed it, is an understatement.  Even these days where sleep doesn't come easily because these city houses just heat up - like an oven.  The cay-dids (as we've always called them) are singing their pulsing chorus and the thunderstorms are always just on the horizon.

The weekend was incredibly stressful for me - as will be this week.  And leaving work tonight, i felt the tension in my shoulders and a general 'down' feeling. 

So...i decided to be nice to myself and took the long way home.  Off the interstate - not hurling along at 70 mph, but rather around 45mph.  Winding roads through Nolde Forest with all the windows open and one arm completely extended out of the window.  If you've never driven through a forest when the humidity is high, then you won't understand when i say that the drive was an olfactory schmorgasboard.  Pine, decaying leaves, ferns, late blooming flowers, the stream - all contributed to the delights that wafted in the windows.

i immediately thought of home - my childhood home and of long summers spent as a camp counselor in upstate New York.  Freedom.  Had i known then, what i know now about enjoying the summer, i wouldn't do anything differently,except hold on to the memories a bit longer.

I'm Upset

Why on earth did no one, until today, tell me about shoes.com.

Have you seen it?  i clicked on women's pumps and friends, 22 pages of shoes came into view.  Oh.my.word.  All those shoes.....

Shoes for every occasion. Shoes for every outfit. Different pair of shoes for each day.

Kinda makes a girl swoon....