911 Never Forget

This image will forever be synonomous with the attacks on the United States seven years ago today. It is impossible to forget the moment you found out and how you felt. I had recently undergone not one but two brain surgeries at that time and had just gone back to work. A few days later on Monday 9/10/01 the dot com I worked for busted , we were all laid off unexpectedly and at that point my marriage was in shambles. Given all of these less than pleasant circumstances I was feeling pretty awful on the inside and yes, I felt sorry for myself. I woke up Tuesday morning to a phone call from my in laws who were in Boston and asked that the tv be turned on. Which channel? It didn't matter.

The first tower had been hit. We watched live as the second tower was hit several minutes later. My life was quickly put into perspective and through my sobs I knew that I was blessed. This was an extremely powerful reminder that we never have to look very far to know just how fortunate we truly are.

Because I was at home, I was glued to the tv at every moment of the day. I camped out on the couch at night. I hurt. I cried. I watched. I listened. I hoped. I ached. I prayed. People threw themselves from the buildings. People trapped beneath the rubble were tapping and I listened as the tapping ceased, as life ebbed away and as the search switched from rescue to recovery. It was heart breaking. It was mind numbing. It was surreal. Was this really happening? Yes. It was and it did. The beauty of this is is that people united. They stood together. A great strength was created not just in NYC or PA but across the Nation and around the world.

There are many images that are burned into my mind and all over again I feel grateful. Grateful for those that assisted. Grateful for those who risked their lives. Grateful the for the awareness that such a tragedy brought to our Nation and grateful for the perspective it added to my own life. I am sad for those that lost their lives. Sad for those who lost loved ones. Sad for those that took part in such an awful atrosity. Sad to think anyone would think it accomplishes anything to take the life of another. Sad for such a large scale intentional and strategic disaster.

On the B Side: I am grateful that our Nation honors this day. I am grateful that both Presidential nominees could come together, cease campaigning and remember. I can remember being at the U2 concert that November as they had an AMAZING tribute to those that lost their lives oh 9/11. If you were there you understand. It was powerful. It was moving and yes, it was spiritual. Again, I cried as we watched the names of all of those that had senselessly been murdered scrolled up the wall, across the ceiling and down the other side. From the acts that took place this day came much good and I strongly believe this is the case in each and every trial that we experience here on this earth.

WTH?

What is wrong with people? This is such a sad, unnecessary and sensless act. I cannot imagine as a parent allowing this kind of thing to take place. While I do not claim to understand, I do think that it is even more disconcerting that a parent abdicate responsibility. How could one feel faultless??? Bless this poor child's heart.

Both of my parents work in the mental health field and I am often shocked and dumb founded at some of the stories that they relate. I cannot fathom the ill treatment and awful circumstances that children are subjected to so carelessly.

When I was home in PA when Dayton was young I met a young boy who was one of my Father's clients. He was sweet and smiley at the tender age of 6. Now that Dayton is 6 this strikes an even deeper chord in my heart but I digress. I later learned that this boy had been abused in every shape and form of the word. When he was a few months old he was taken from his Mother for neglect. He was found in a crib with burns on his legs from his urine. He was placed with his Father and removed at the age of 18 months after being hospitalized with bruises from a belt all over his little body. He bounced around foster homes and ended up being sexually abused by the only "family" he knew and trusted.

What a crazy series of tradegies that caused a young boy, an innocent young boy so much pain. Imagine being a little person desparately wanting to be loved and learning not to trust anyone bigger than you? I can still see his little face in my mind. He had big blue eyes, blonde hair and he just wanted to be noticed. He peered at us over his hands as he smiled. This was a particularly hard and heart wrenching case for my Father that unfortunately did not end well.

On the B Side: I am so grateful that I was raised in a loving family. I recognize that this is a blessing, not an entitlement and unfortunately not something that everyone has. Reading about this kind of autrocity makes me even more determined to love, protect and nurture my children. It also reminded me of the wonderful people that serve as advocates for these young children. I do not know how my Father does what he does but he has a heart the size of Texas and goes far beyond the call of duty to help those that stand in need.