How far did you say he was from that building?

I was following my regular routine that morning, eight years ago. Watching something on television while I walked on the treadmill before going to work. The phone rang, and it was my husband. He said he was okay, that a plane had hit a building close by, and he didn't want me to worry. Hmmm - better turn on the news while I walk on the treadmill.

Next call - he's been evacuated - had to leave everything in the hotel room and start walking. It was a big plane that hit the World Trade Center. Uh-oh, another plane hit! Next call was from his office. His boss saying he had been in contact with him, he is okay, but was being evacuated. He said his hotel was across the street and a hundred feet from the WTC. Just as he said that I watched on TV as the first tower came crashing down. HOW FAR DID YOU SAY HE WAS FROM THAT BUILDING?

We all know the rest of the story.

My husband, and his fellow employees walked up Madison Avenue, without purses, laptops, clothes. Without a place to sleep, without medications. But people they knew that lived in NYC rallied. They ended up finding a room at what turned out to be a very posh hotel. They were able to find some clothes, food, alcohol. Lots of alcohol. American Express was able to get my husband's medication, and their boss was able to eventually get them home by flying them out of New Jersey, at a time when no planes were flying. My husband calls him on this anniversary every year to thank him.

It took six months to get his things from that hotel across the street where so many innocent lives were lost. He had to sign a release stating he would not hold the hotel responsible for what may be on and in his things. He signed the release.

The evil perpetrated on that day will never be forgotten. Not by me, my husband, our family, or our country. Never.

But my hope is that we will eventually see that hating will never change the world. And we so need to change the world. Maybe, one day we will all realize that we are One. When we harm another, we are really harming ourselves. That violence begets violence, but so does empathy, love, kindness, and generosity. We have a choice.

Moonlight Award

I am often very bad at acknowledging awards. For this I apologize, because I am always appreciative of your thoughtfulness in giving them to me. I forget because I'm off on some tangent, or I misplace them, which happened with the last one (Heart Award). Sorry!

With that being said, I received one from a new blog I've been following that is filled with wonderful peeks into the lives of those living sophisticated European lifestyles. A beautiful and unusual blog, Celeste of Into The Moonlight is a painter, and created an award with the blogs that she enjoys in mind. I have also received this one from Harrad of Access denied - living with MS, who passed it along to me. Herrad is a thoroughly intelligent, thoughtful blogger, dealing with a devastating illness with courage and love. Thank you, both.

The award is very unusual and beautiful. It is the culmination of several sketches that were inspired by the blogs she has enjoyed since she began blogging, three months ago.

MOONLIGHT

"Moonlight in this case represents the glorious brain-sharpening, mood-enhancing experience one feels when reading or seeing something inspirational in other blogs. Something that sets the tone for the rest of your day, puts a smile on your face, stimulates your work, or makes you feels awesome about life. It is not often one feels wonderful. But some days, some blogs do just that.

I want to give “moonlights” to all the special blogs I encounter.

There are no obligations attached to the recognition. But if you feel like it, you can pass it on to whoever has also given you that something special, what in Spanish they call “eso”, or “it”. Whatever “it” is that lifts your spirits and helps you to up your mental game."

Since I can never choose between the blogs I read, I would like to pass it along to all of you. You inspire me, every single one of you, to grow, learn, appreciate, love, forgive, and most of all to keep writing. To keep following my dream, even on days when it seems impossible. It's your comments that motivate, that makes the impossible seem doable. And for that I thank you, all of you. We are One in this world, and no where is that more so than the blogging community.

I know exactly what Celeste meant when she said "eso" or "it", and believe me, you all have it.