September 11th…it became something else!

       September 11th used to be just another day.  Then, it became my son’s brother’s birthday.  Nine years later…September 11th became something else.  September 11th, 2001 became the day of the destruction of American innocence.  It became a day controlled by terrorists and their plot of destruction.  It became a day of horror and fear.  It became a day of mourning.  Then, it became a day of rememberance. 

         Each year the day brings anxiety, fear, sadness and depression…but it also, becomes a measure of time.  It becomes, almost a before and after measure in our country and in our lives.  The military men and women, the everyday people who traveled on the jets, the business people who worked in the World Trade Center, the people on the street…every life that was lost was precious; and the grief never becomes anything less than what it should be!  The grieving process is different for everyone…but, it is the bridge from a place of denial to an acceptance of a life that has been changed, due to a loss of the life of a loved one.  At some point, you either become a person cocooned in pain and loss or you move towards a place of healing and acceptance.

        How much time has passed since that tragic day.  How many things have those people who’s names are called out in the roll-call missed.  How many sons and daughters have marked milestones in their lives without parents?  How many spouses have witnessed holidays, birthdays, anniversaries, births & deaths without their partners by their side to support them?  How many parents, grandparents, grandchildren, neighbors, and friends have been forced to bear witness to life without those who were such a part of their lives?

          For those who have valiantly tried to heal from the deep wounds of September 11th; some have found some way of marching into the future…one difficult footstep at a time.  Others have been forever stuck in that moment of loss.  For those who have been able to move forward painfully…there is no lack of a sense of guilt, for surviving and beginning to enjoy the blessings in life again. 

          Each milestone of survival is marked by loss…that can’t be forgotten; and yet, to choose not to enjoy what’s left in life to enjoy; is a slap in the face to those who’s lives were lost.  Which of them, if given a choice would choose to live a life without thanksgiving, without joy, without celebration… of all the good things before them; if they were able to live again?  It does those who were lost no honor, to allow the terrorists to have more “dead” victims than they already stole from the world.

          So while we honor those who were lost…let’s not forget those who were left behind to survive.  Let’s honor the loved ones, of those who were lost in the attack.  At some point, peeling back the scab over and over again can only serve to prevent long-term healing.  When, might September 11th become just another day again?  Can it ever become just another day…probably not?  Should it ever become something else besides an acknowledgement of the terrorists deeds?  Or are we forever bound by loss and respect to the lives lost, to always carry the scar of history ?  Is it possible to take back some of the power that the terrorists stole from us by reclaiming that day as just another day?

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Cancer is a Thief

        Well, another life was stolen by cancer.  Today, we found out that a person that we loved and admired was taken too young by breast cancer.  She was the mother of a young 3 year old son.  She was the wife of a strong upstanding positive man.  She was the teacher of my sons and so many others; and, she was and is a blessing to all who knew her.

         My heart aches because of the loss.  She was one of those people who just made such an impact on all who knew her.  I thought she was going to beat the aggressive disease…i really did.  She fought it with all she had and she didn’t dwell on negatives.   She got into a clinical trial and was making progress.  Through surgeries, chemo, radiation and prayer and faith…she waged the cancer war on every level.   Her battle was courageous and focussed on healing.  She truly engaged all of those around her with a positive energy.  I can’t tell you how much this world has lost today.  I know how much her friends, family and community has lost.

         Cancer is a thief…stealing so much joy, brillance, compassion, energy, laughter, sensitivity, education, potential, love, understanding…and the list goes on.  Help to fight it in your own way.  Donate money, donate time,donate your skills, donate your experience, donate help, donate your free time, donate your educational/research abilities…because, cancer doesn’t just steal from those who can afford to lose extra people in their lives, every life is valuable, cancer steals from us all.  See what you can do: www.cancer.org/ or www.relayforlife.org/ .  www.acscsn.org.   

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The Gucch Has Got It-Dancing With The Stars!

         Last night’s competition on dancing with the stars was outstanding.  The group dance that began the show was awesome to see.  The teamwork and genuine joy of working together for these three competitor teams was obvious to see.  They like each other…they really like each other.  When the individual dances began, Kristi and her partner Mark set a standard that looked impossible to beat.  I think to myself as i watched it….the Gucch has got it!  The showman in her just can’t help but ooze through her pores.  But, she competes with style not with a mean bone in her body.

       Then Jason and Edyta started their dance and it was fireworks from the beginning.  Boom, there they were…somehow though, i don’t know how it happened…they both seemed to have costume malfunctions…they each “lost” pieces of clothing!  LOL The song was hot and so was the dance. 

          Then, right before Christian and Cheryl began their dance; Samantha was awkwardly interviewing Jason.  She made references to the media buzz surrounding Christian and Jason’s newfound friendship.  Jason with a wry grin said, that was last week!  🙂  His sense of humor comes through.  I loved seeing him with his children.

          Christian and Cheryl’s dance was good.  After all, he was not capable of doing the high flying of Kristi and Marks dance, he wasn’t able to lift his partner Cheryl in competitive lifts the way Jason was able to smoothly lift Edyta, but what he did have was Latin blood pumping through his veins and it brought a salsa side dish to the dance.  His surgery is scheduled for Friday.  His dance was good.   I am just afraid with the injury….Kristi’s dance was more advanced; advanced to the point of winning the trophy.

         Of course, it all comes down to the wire with the votes of the fans.  That could, as always, change everything!  This year’s finale was great.  No disappointments here, no matter who you support!

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The Earth Cries

       The earth cries out in grief, and humanity is groaning, in it’s misery; do you hear it?  Cyclones hit Myanmar thousands and thousands are dead, homeless, thirsty, starving.  China is shaken to it’s core by the earthquake that has also killed thousands.  Sumatra was washed away from the Tsunnami and thousands and thousands are dead and lost.  Katrina hit the United States and flooded homes and businessess and left lives in devastation.  Wildfires are consuming buildings, homes, and wildlife and millions of acres around the world due to droughts.  Famines hit the parched lands inflaming lands already hit with starvation.  The ice shelves are melting in the Artic.   Tornados drop in and in seconds wipe away generations of people as well as places.  Hurricanes heap destruction upon land and seas. 

           Do you not feel nature rebelling, against the inhabitants of the planet earth?  The intensity of these disasters and storms has increased dramatically in the last decade or two.  They are increasing in number as well;  we must listen. 

        Why, what is all of this chaos trying to teach us?  Has the careless actions of generations before us finally reached the peak of what nature can endure without self-destructing. The way we live today is impacting the world; and not for the better.   Are we being taught now that we must be good stewards of the gifts given to us by the Creator?  Yes! 

          Greenhouse gasses are contributing, lack of conservation of trees, farmland,  and bodies of water, and poor utilization of landfills,  are all destroying our environment. 

         Being ignorant, lazy, un-informed or misguided, are no longer acceptable excuses.  Suffering and death, on a regular large scale basis, is going to be a way of life, if we don’t wise up soon.  Making smarter, safer, greener choices can only slow down the effects of the damage we have caused.  But we must start now…if we hope to have any chance of restoring the precious balance that is nature.  It is going to take courage and committment.

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