Wednesday, September 11, 2002
Remembering 9-11 - continued
This, from a correspondent:
I moved here to Seattle from the metropolitan NY area and also grew up in NY state and attended a state college. Two of my classmates died in the Twin Towers. I knew Al Mayer quite well as he was in my major and had also grown up with one of my roommates. He would often hang out at our place and he was always the life of the party. Although I had not seen Al since we graduated in 84 I have often thought of those days and how much joy they brought me.
Having lived in the metro NY area for several years I have friends and aquaintances that live there now that lost multiple friends and loved ones last September. They attended several memorial services over the weeks that followed 9-11. While I did not personally know those that died (other than Al), I witnessed the grief of those that survived them. What struck me time and again was that even in the midst of their grief there was a tremendous strength and hope.
My plan...is to honor both those that died and those that loved them by embracing the paradox of all that life has to offer. I am going to a memorial service at my church, and ...[it] also happens to be the first day of a salsa dance class that I am taking (and I am really looking for to it!)
This past year (and this summer, in particular) continues to teach me about the paradox of life and how it continually asks us to hold it all.... the grief and the joy, the feelings of helplessness and strength, terror and peace. This is not an easy task by any means, and my rational mind does not have the capacity to reconcile any of this. Instead I am finding (and continue to find) some greater part of me that is connected to something larger than this life, that trusts in this life regardless of what is happening around me. It is this part of me that is inspired to move forward, to long for peace, and express my grief and joy. And..., this is what I shall do in memory of Al, his family, and all those that died as well as those who loved them.
Betsy
I think this'll be my only blog entry for today.
I moved here to Seattle from the metropolitan NY area and also grew up in NY state and attended a state college. Two of my classmates died in the Twin Towers. I knew Al Mayer quite well as he was in my major and had also grown up with one of my roommates. He would often hang out at our place and he was always the life of the party. Although I had not seen Al since we graduated in 84 I have often thought of those days and how much joy they brought me.
Having lived in the metro NY area for several years I have friends and aquaintances that live there now that lost multiple friends and loved ones last September. They attended several memorial services over the weeks that followed 9-11. While I did not personally know those that died (other than Al), I witnessed the grief of those that survived them. What struck me time and again was that even in the midst of their grief there was a tremendous strength and hope.
My plan...is to honor both those that died and those that loved them by embracing the paradox of all that life has to offer. I am going to a memorial service at my church, and ...[it] also happens to be the first day of a salsa dance class that I am taking (and I am really looking for to it!)
This past year (and this summer, in particular) continues to teach me about the paradox of life and how it continually asks us to hold it all.... the grief and the joy, the feelings of helplessness and strength, terror and peace. This is not an easy task by any means, and my rational mind does not have the capacity to reconcile any of this. Instead I am finding (and continue to find) some greater part of me that is connected to something larger than this life, that trusts in this life regardless of what is happening around me. It is this part of me that is inspired to move forward, to long for peace, and express my grief and joy. And..., this is what I shall do in memory of Al, his family, and all those that died as well as those who loved them.
Betsy
I think this'll be my only blog entry for today.
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