We all know what happened 9/11/01. What a day, I'm sure you remember where you were, I won't bore you with the details of where I was. I will tell you that I was away from my family in southern NY in a training class. For me (and most), the world stopped. I thought about family. I thought about friends. I thought about how I would get home, I was 2 hours south of my family and about an hour north of what is now known as 'ground zero'. I remember trying to call my husband for about 3 hours, cell service was limited because of the volume...when he finally received my call he casually mentioned that he had heard something had happened, he was in the middle of an assignment in central NY. He assured me he would be home to be there for our children, I still had a day of training to go...they suspended training, and we all went to our hotel and watched the news for the rest of the day...and then they sent us home. I have never been so happy to be home.
Harry and I were trying to piece the day together for our son tonight. Ian was 3, he doesn't remember the day, but he will always remember what it means to us, we wont let him forget it. I've tried to turn this day into a day of heroism and gratitude. I believe our country changed for a little while. I believe we changed for the better. Albeit we got angry, but we also got united. I have never felt more of a sense of country than I did the weeks after 9/11/01. We wore t-shirts, we wore pins. We had a untied mission. I was (and am) proud to be an American.
Sometimes things can't be explained or justified. I'm still confused. I think the only thing that I can try to do 13 years later is find a lesson in the day that makes absolutely no sense. I told our son tonight, thousands of people went to work and school 13 years ago and had their life changed. There are so many takeaways, but what I take away is:
1. Appreciate those around you. Never take for granted your friends and family. Hug them tight.
2. Follow your dreams. Do it now, do it now, do it now. Life truly is short.
3. Laugh. Have fun. Giggle.
4. Respect all. We all have our challenges. Think about yours before you judge others.
So on that note, I'm heading off to remember my treasured loved ones and giggle a little. Cheers, Big Ears.
Thursday, September 11, 2014
Thursday, September 4, 2014
What a month!
So it's been almost a month since I've posted here. I've started to put my thoughts in writing a few times, but saved them to be continued another time. You may eventually hear about my quest to embrace winter, why I confused a Wednesday for a Friday and how I really felt when my daughter started her 1st day of her senior year in college... but tonight we'll turn our attention to how quickly the summer has come and gone. So much has happened and there is so much to be grateful for that I have to dedicate this post to just recapping some of the happenings over the past 4 weeks. These are not in any particular order:
1. Stay-Cation: Except for a company event (over 10 years ago) I don't think I've been to the track (Saratoga Race Track) on a week day...Harry and I went on a Thursday in late July with a 6 pack of beer and 2 camp chairs and it was AWESOME! We lost our $20 but had the best day.
2. Surprises: Ian sang Music of the Night from Phantom of the Opera and killed it...who knew?
3. Family: My niece completed her 4000 mile journey on a bicycle across the country, my dad sent me the funniest text just a couple of days ago, my daughter moved into her apartment for her last year in college (and I got the piss scared out of me by her roommate's rat...yes, RAT!), my In-laws came to town, we had muddy dogs with far too many burrs in their fur, I watched my son break his first heart (he's already had his broken), we jumped into my sister and brother in-law's pool fully clothed because we needed "another memory to talk about". Family.
4. Garden: We are continuing to harvest fruits and veggies from the seeds that were sown last March!
5. Health: We took our 3rd trip to CT Children's Hospital where Ian had his 3rd infusion in 18 months...one more to go. We are building bone!!!
6. Bling: I am enjoying my new favorite bracelet brought back to me from the only member of our nuclear family that had a true vacation this summer.
7. Home: Harry installed new hardwood floors in the den and living room as we start to put the finishing touches on the place we've called home for the past 9 years. We are getting it ready for the next deserving family as we make plans for our dream.
8. Friends: We were treated to a gourmet dinner in the Bushes, I enjoyed a sleepover with my best friend and her dog doing nothing but soaking our feet in mouthwash and vinegar for the perfect pedicure, and we soaked and floated in our pool.
9.Celebrations: Although the big ones in August include Mackenzie turning 21 (UGH!!!) and Harry and I celebrating our 23rd anniversary, we try and celebrate every day in some small way. We laugh, kid, poke, hug, pinch, pull chin hair, smack asses (Harry and me, not the kids), make each other stuff (dessert, coffee, breakfast, popcorn, etc...) and genuinely LIKE each other. We are each other's gift, we are family.
10. Dreams: we took a couple of days this summer to ride through the country of upstate NY and scope out property. We put a plan in place and will be on our way soon.
So there is more, so much more, but time is limited and tired eyes prevail. These are some of the highlights of my past 4 weeks. Now that summer is coming to an end and routines are beginning to set in, I hope to have more time to write...for now, LOVE!
1. Stay-Cation: Except for a company event (over 10 years ago) I don't think I've been to the track (Saratoga Race Track) on a week day...Harry and I went on a Thursday in late July with a 6 pack of beer and 2 camp chairs and it was AWESOME! We lost our $20 but had the best day.
2. Surprises: Ian sang Music of the Night from Phantom of the Opera and killed it...who knew?
3. Family: My niece completed her 4000 mile journey on a bicycle across the country, my dad sent me the funniest text just a couple of days ago, my daughter moved into her apartment for her last year in college (and I got the piss scared out of me by her roommate's rat...yes, RAT!), my In-laws came to town, we had muddy dogs with far too many burrs in their fur, I watched my son break his first heart (he's already had his broken), we jumped into my sister and brother in-law's pool fully clothed because we needed "another memory to talk about". Family.
4. Garden: We are continuing to harvest fruits and veggies from the seeds that were sown last March!
5. Health: We took our 3rd trip to CT Children's Hospital where Ian had his 3rd infusion in 18 months...one more to go. We are building bone!!!
6. Bling: I am enjoying my new favorite bracelet brought back to me from the only member of our nuclear family that had a true vacation this summer.
7. Home: Harry installed new hardwood floors in the den and living room as we start to put the finishing touches on the place we've called home for the past 9 years. We are getting it ready for the next deserving family as we make plans for our dream.
8. Friends: We were treated to a gourmet dinner in the Bushes, I enjoyed a sleepover with my best friend and her dog doing nothing but soaking our feet in mouthwash and vinegar for the perfect pedicure, and we soaked and floated in our pool.
9.Celebrations: Although the big ones in August include Mackenzie turning 21 (UGH!!!) and Harry and I celebrating our 23rd anniversary, we try and celebrate every day in some small way. We laugh, kid, poke, hug, pinch, pull chin hair, smack asses (Harry and me, not the kids), make each other stuff (dessert, coffee, breakfast, popcorn, etc...) and genuinely LIKE each other. We are each other's gift, we are family.
10. Dreams: we took a couple of days this summer to ride through the country of upstate NY and scope out property. We put a plan in place and will be on our way soon.
So there is more, so much more, but time is limited and tired eyes prevail. These are some of the highlights of my past 4 weeks. Now that summer is coming to an end and routines are beginning to set in, I hope to have more time to write...for now, LOVE!
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)