September 11, 2004

It is 3 years today since that horrifying morning in the United States. Some days it seems like so long ago, but today it is so close again. So many suffer still today but have turned it to such strength and power to make their life count for all those we lost, because the lives we lost counted for much more than anyone of us will ever know!

3 years ago this morning, I was in the routine of getting ready for work and keeping Evan on time for school. I turned off my TV moments before the first plane hit. I had no idea what had happened to my country, our people, the world that morning as I drove to work. But the world felt strange, why were all these cars pulled over on the side of the freeway? I had not turned on the radio in my car, I was involved in my own life too deeply. But the cars on the freeway brought me out! I turned on the stereo and heard the horrible accounts of what was happening in New York! I was shaking, starting to cry......So immensely caught off guard by the news. No wonder people were stopped on the freeway. How can anyone fathom such a thing? How does this become reality? These were everyone's questions.

Reality became far to clear! All you needed to do was turn on the TV and see our people running, screaming, helping fighting, caring, dying. Not since Pearl Harbor have we seen such evil brutality followed by such love and compassion for life itself!

It is the people who gave totally of themselves in anyway they could to save another soul that I will think of today! Many of those people were lost that day, but many were saved because of the unselfish love and respect for human life that they demonstrated! It did not matter who you were that day! The people who helped did not care what your race, country or religion were! They cared and fought to save people because they are and were just that, PEOPLE! We will never hear all the incredible stories of that day and the people who gave of themselves without a second thought! We should all be so lucky to have people we don't know and may only have one brief encounter with, care so deeply for us! We could all be those people who care that deeply too!

Smile at someone you don't know today! They will smile back! Give of yourself in the simplest of ways, it will come back to you! Appreciate today, tomorrow and all the people who touch your life, reach out and touch them right back! Give! Love! Be the incredible person you are!