It is sad to see where we are as a country right now. The 9-11 aftermath was an amazing example of American patriotism. Our country overcame differences to rise above pettiness to watch out for each other and rebuild NYC in a spectacular fashion. It was awe-inspiring despite the tragedy and the feelings of being violated on our own soil.
For all of us, we remember where we were when the towers came down - much like when JFK was assassinated for those of us who were around and were witnesses to that tragic event. I have two strong and often conflicted feelings when September 11th comes around.
First, my birthday is on September 10th and for the last 20 years, I have had a hard time reconciling these two events so close together - one of joy and one of deep sadness and even anger.
Second, 9-11 became very personal for me in an unexpected way. I was on a business trip in Germany on September 10, 2001, and flew out of Frankfort on the morning of Tuesday, September 11th, happy to be coming home to NY and JFK airport. It was during the middle part of that flight that the pilot calmly informed us that U.S. airspace was closed and we would be landing in Gander, Newfoundland. Shortly, we learned that over 40 747's had landed at the same airport with nearly 7,000 people. I was there for 5 days before U.S. airspace re-opened and I was able to fly into JFK that Saturday night. I will never forget crossing the Whitestone Bridge after midnight seeing smoke still belching forth out of what was the location of the twin towers. Needless to say, it was surreal.
Each year at this time, I feel grateful that my experience was nothing like those related to those who lost loved ones. I was fortunate. And, I have learned to celebrate my birthday as an independent event which has been a blessing.
MC - I agree, that as a country, we have sunk to a nadir point of dysfunction. I sometimes worry that we will sink as a country, not because of a foreign attack or something like that, but that we will rot and decay from the inside out. How insidious and sad would that be?
I do conclude each time (and pull myself out of a personal tailspin) by one of the fundamental beliefs I hold sacred, which is the belief that love will conquer evil. I have faith even though the path is not clear that we will rise above this bullshit. I do pray for that every day.
Jim, wow. Thank you so much for sharing your personal recollection and experience. I had no idea. It must have been scary in a uniquely different way to have been outside of the US at that time and unable to be on home turf with your love ones. I do wonder the same thing -- if the USA will rot inside out. Isn't that what happened with the Roman Empire?
Like you, despite my often pessimistic takes on current events and the people who propel them, I do believe as you do: love conquers evil. So the challenge then becomes to promulgate love, not fear, bitterness, resentment, anger -- which I indulge in in my writing. I need to focus on love! Thank you for nudging me toward that. And -- thank you for subscribing, reading, sharing, and commenting!
While I believe as we grow in years we should evolve, learn from and always hold on to compassion and empathy to hopefully pay it forward…yet as your THINK words reveal, we are seemingly more fractured than ever. Beyond sadness remains in my heart watching our country and countrymen continue to split and have no seeming common ground…even within families. 20 years indeed…
Great piece, MC. Hopefully it won’t take another attack on America for us to come together again.
I second that. xo
MC
It is sad to see where we are as a country right now. The 9-11 aftermath was an amazing example of American patriotism. Our country overcame differences to rise above pettiness to watch out for each other and rebuild NYC in a spectacular fashion. It was awe-inspiring despite the tragedy and the feelings of being violated on our own soil.
For all of us, we remember where we were when the towers came down - much like when JFK was assassinated for those of us who were around and were witnesses to that tragic event. I have two strong and often conflicted feelings when September 11th comes around.
First, my birthday is on September 10th and for the last 20 years, I have had a hard time reconciling these two events so close together - one of joy and one of deep sadness and even anger.
Second, 9-11 became very personal for me in an unexpected way. I was on a business trip in Germany on September 10, 2001, and flew out of Frankfort on the morning of Tuesday, September 11th, happy to be coming home to NY and JFK airport. It was during the middle part of that flight that the pilot calmly informed us that U.S. airspace was closed and we would be landing in Gander, Newfoundland. Shortly, we learned that over 40 747's had landed at the same airport with nearly 7,000 people. I was there for 5 days before U.S. airspace re-opened and I was able to fly into JFK that Saturday night. I will never forget crossing the Whitestone Bridge after midnight seeing smoke still belching forth out of what was the location of the twin towers. Needless to say, it was surreal.
Each year at this time, I feel grateful that my experience was nothing like those related to those who lost loved ones. I was fortunate. And, I have learned to celebrate my birthday as an independent event which has been a blessing.
MC - I agree, that as a country, we have sunk to a nadir point of dysfunction. I sometimes worry that we will sink as a country, not because of a foreign attack or something like that, but that we will rot and decay from the inside out. How insidious and sad would that be?
I do conclude each time (and pull myself out of a personal tailspin) by one of the fundamental beliefs I hold sacred, which is the belief that love will conquer evil. I have faith even though the path is not clear that we will rise above this bullshit. I do pray for that every day.
Jim, wow. Thank you so much for sharing your personal recollection and experience. I had no idea. It must have been scary in a uniquely different way to have been outside of the US at that time and unable to be on home turf with your love ones. I do wonder the same thing -- if the USA will rot inside out. Isn't that what happened with the Roman Empire?
Like you, despite my often pessimistic takes on current events and the people who propel them, I do believe as you do: love conquers evil. So the challenge then becomes to promulgate love, not fear, bitterness, resentment, anger -- which I indulge in in my writing. I need to focus on love! Thank you for nudging me toward that. And -- thank you for subscribing, reading, sharing, and commenting!
While I believe as we grow in years we should evolve, learn from and always hold on to compassion and empathy to hopefully pay it forward…yet as your THINK words reveal, we are seemingly more fractured than ever. Beyond sadness remains in my heart watching our country and countrymen continue to split and have no seeming common ground…even within families. 20 years indeed…
Yes, beyond sad ...