9-11 United in Courage & Grief

The randomness, the senseless, the magnitude of destruction, particularly civilian has impacted not only the United States, but countries around the world. The United States was not the only country to suffer casualties in this first war of the 21st century, this war against terrorism. The World Trade Center housed employees from around the world. With this event, we are a world united in grief trying to explain the unexplainable.

Any time there is a tragedy, a sudden unexpected death I am once again reminded that life is so fragile. It also reminds me to focus on the present, to let the hurts and disappointments of the past slip away, and let go of the concerns and fears of the future. Because of the magnitude of this event, the need for self reflection was even greater, as we are reminded that life is so precious. Goals, plans, purchases which were once important the week prior to the event now seem trivial by comparison. As with so many others, I look at and re-evaluated my personal priorities and with my husband re-evaluated the priorities for our family. We have made some changes in our life plans in the wake of these events.

What becomes more precious is the time spent with loved ones. Tender moments with our children take on greater meaning. For a time following this tragedy, as we remember the 'Wake-up Call" we will treasure every moment. Perhaps most important of all, this event has taught us the Value of Time and the need to remember that Time waits for no one.

To realize the value of one year: Ask a student who has failed a final exam.
To realize the value of one month: Ask a mother who has given birth to a premature baby.
To realize the value of one week: Ask an editor of a weekly newspaper.
To realize the value of one hour: Ask the lovers who are waiting to meet.
To realize the value of one minute: Ask the person who has missed the train, bus or plane.
To realize the value of one second: Ask a person who has survived an accident.
To realize the value of one millisecond: Ask the person who has won a silver medal in the Olympics.

These words really help put things into perspective, to remind us what we often seem to forget, to remember what is important in life and what isn't. That life is very short, and time with loved ones precious.

In trying to find some ray of hope, some positive in the midst of this tragedy, a very wise teacher, Dr. Leo Buscaglia, taught us that we can learn from death.

Death teaches us--if we want to hear--that the time is now. The time is now to pick up a telephone and call the person that you love. Death teaches us the joy of the moment. It teaches us we don't have forever. If teaches us that nothing is permanent, It teaches us to let go, there's nothing you can hang on to. And it tells us to give up on expectations and let tomorrow tell its own story, because nobody knows if they'll get home tonight. To me that's a tremendous challenge. Death says, "Live now."

The following check list was adapted by Michael Bischoff of the Simply Love Website. This list started as a holiday letter sent by Dr. Leo Buscaglia in 1996:

• In spite of the distractions, I must not forget the true meaning of life.
• I must give more of myself and less of things.
• I must remember that we are all mortal and we don't have forever to celebrate each other.
• I must be certain that no one I know, who doesn't choose to be, will be alone.
• I must do something tangible during the day to make the world a more loving place.
• I must take the time to make that phone call or write that note.  People never tire of being remembered with love.
• I must keep in mind that the message of the angels is, “Fear Not!”
• I must not forget that there are poor, hungry, ill, lonely people whose lives I have the power to better. I must find a way.
• I must not forget that my prime responsibility is to love and that all good things come from this.
• I pledge to myself, to others, and to the world to no longer let any day end without engaging in words and actions of love and friendship.

Life is lived in the here and now, we must clear our lives of the essential trivia to make more room for living and loving.
Live each day as if it were to be your last. Because one of these days you will be right.

On a bit lighter note, Erma Bombeck wrote of her list of things she would do if she had her life to live over.

• I would have talked less and listened more.
• I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained and the sofa faded.
• I would have eaten the popcorn in the 'good' living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.
• I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.
• I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.
• I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage.
• I would have sat on the lawn with my children and not worried about grass stains.
• I would have cried and laughed less while watching television - and more while watching life.
• I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband.
• I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren't there for the day.
• I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn't show soil or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.
• Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I'd have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.
• When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, "Later. Now go get washed up for dinner."
• There would have been more "I love you's".. more "I'm sorry's"... but mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute...look at it and really see it... live it...and never give it back.
• Remember to seize every minute... look at it and really see it... live it...but most of all...never give it back!

The One World Ribbon was created from the colors on the Olympic flag comprised of six colors. Each color represents a continent and every flag in the world has at least one of the six colors.