9/11

Today I woke up with a heavy heart as I do every September 11 for the last 18 years. I remembered the moment when I realized the first plane crash was not an accident as I watched the second plane hit the tower. I remembered being so stunned I couldn’t think. I went to the hardware store for something and the poor clerk couldn’t think well enough to make change. I helped her figure it out and we both admitted our heads weren’t on straight.

On this 9/11 anniversary, I decided to do something to honor the memories of the victims and their families. I listened to an interview of a woman who spent the last 30 minutes of her husband’s life on the phone with him. Once they realized he wouldn’t get out, they spent the rest of the time until the building collapsed talking about how wonderful their life together had been and how lucky they were. Wow was that a heart-breaker. Yes, I cried.

So – how to spend my day? Of course, I put in some time at work, but then I decided to do only positive things for the rest of the day. I went for a long walk with my dog, harvested some great veggies from my garden and turned them into the best vegan lunch, made cookies for my sweetie, wrote to my kid and my brother, then went to see mom. I listened to great music from Van Morrison to Led Zeppelin. I sang along and danced to the Righteous Brothers and Bob Marley. I feel uplifted and I think this “day of good things” will be my tradition for every future September 11. I will never forget the loss so many experienced and how lucky I am.