from ground zero

By Anonymous
By September 2001 I was in a daze.  I had just removed myself as an identity synonymous with wife or mother.  When you're in doubting mode, the world slows down.  Too wrapped up in memeME for a change.

Mount Everest
Solitude was forced on me, not willingly sought.  Caught in any 30 somethings years old.  If you've ever read or watched anything on the topic of Mount Everest you'd know that it is very formidable and cloaked in disaster and death.  Yet any story ever told that we would unanimously agree, from all nations, from all religions, on this fact then and now we would agree that the most bravest of accomplishment from climbing and surviving crown the peak of Mount Everest and sinking a flag at its peak. 

Yet in each and every story there has always been one common denominator ::.... Can you guess what it is?  I'm being charitable by making a clue front and centre: 

Teamwork
Yeah, I know eh?  Odd, weird, even interesting.  In order for any singular one of us need others to survive.  We are not a species meant to do anything but work as part of a major team.

Watching halfway between writing and @CNN 9/11 15 years later.  We're you even aware?  At what point did you become aware is uncanny when you think about it.

Live coverage 
Forged a brave new world.  It gave new meaning to live and unedited.  I think I was presently OFF on 9/11.  It defined solitude in an extremely captivating way.

United cause
Of those who want peace over violence outnumbered by a few percentage.

We watched it live, each to their own bittersweet or horrible spectacle 9/11 became.  A flash forward by 40 years when one of the greatest Presidents the United States have ever known ::.... John F. Kennedy.  Assassinated by his own people to 40 years later it being an attack of the people.

Majority rule
Would lean in favorite of I being horrific demonic act of the violation of peace.  Because there is no world order that is policed more by the people instead of uniform.  They'd agree, no excuses or explanation nor narrative allowed.

The act of 9/11 was an act of violence against unsuspecting innocent people.  They weren't leaders, rule makers, of one particular race but separated by religion.  The VERY thing that should empower the believers of anything, not one thing.  Not divisible by anything other than right and wrong.

Anyone who is dedicated to their religion would not be told to kill or maim others is never permissible  under any laws.

One day with incredible loss have united a nation once again.  No other country in the world has had so many kicks at them (Pearl Habour, 9/11, New Orleans).

I admit that I've never really studied their civil war to gain freedom and democracy.  Perhaps sharing enough their air from osmosis dusting me with understanding a little itsy tiny bit by following the news at home and abroad.

Contrary to misperceptions, Canadians consider abroad the same for the U.S.  as anywhere else, Paris, Syria, Greece, India or you name it.

Blessings to all
I write about this to bow to the days leading up to then afterwards the tragic destruction in the form of two towers, symbolizing a very real threat to our safety and security.

If everyone could agree between right and wrong, what an amazing and remarkable place the world would be.

The Most Powerful Quotes Remembering 9/11 on the 15th Anniversary 

SEPTEMBER 9, 2016 – 2:05 PM – 0 COMMENTS

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By COMPILED AND EDITED BY SARA LUKINSON 

Firemen pay there respects at the 9/11 memorial during ceremonies for the eleventh anniversary of the terrorist attacks on lower Manhattan at the World Trade Center on September 11, 2012 in New York City.(John Moore/Getty Images)

Last updated September 9, 2016

On the 15th anniversary of the Sept. 11 tragedy, remember and reflect with these powerful quotes.

“Even the smallest act of service, the simplest act of kindness, is a way to honor those we lost, a way to reclaim that spirit of unity that followed 9/11.”
—President Obama in a 2011 radio address

“If we learn nothing else from this tragedy, we learn that life is short and there is no time for hate.”
—Sandy Dahl, wife of Flight 93 pilot Jason Dahl, in Shanksville, Pa., in 2002

“My older brother John lived [his life] in Technicolor. … When he walked in the door, the whole house lit up. And I’m sure heaven lit up when he got there too.”
—Anthoula Katsimatides at the World Trade Center site in 2005

“Five years from the date of the attack that changed our world, we’ve come back to remember the valor of those we lost—those who innocently went to work that day and the brave souls who went in after them. We have also come to be ever mindful of the courage of those who grieve for them, and the light that still lives in their hearts.”
—New York City mayor ­Rudolph Giuliani at the World Trade Center site in 2006

Photos: See Inside the Construction of One World Trade Center

“One of the worst days in America’s history saw some of the bravest acts in Americans’ history. We’ll always honor the heroes of 9/11. And here at this hallowed place, we pledge that we will never forget their sacrifice.”
—President George W. Bush at the Pentagon in 2008

“My father, Norberto, was a pastry chef at ­Windows on the World in Tower One. For 10 years, he made many fancy and famous ­desserts, but the sweetest dessert he made was the marble cake he made for us at home. … Whenever we parted, Poppi would say, ‘Te amo. Vaya con Dios.’ And this morning, I want to say the same thing to you, Poppi. I love you. Go with God.”
—Catherine Hernandez at the World Trade Center site in 2008

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Angels among us

I was offline for a few days.  Mostly because we had a wicked thunderstorm that took my internet and TV for a tailspin.  TV I don't mind.  You may as well cut my right hand off when it is the internet connection.

Funny how important being online becomes.  Call it an addiction or a very strong desire to be connected.  I'd like to think it is a little bit of both.

The other matter why I was distracted was because of a tragedy that struck my sister.  I've been known to give her a lot of credit for years because she has the patience of a saint and is truly an angel among us.  Both her and her husband.
 

As a bystander, sister, and family member, it has been amazing to watch how she could be a Foster Mom to special needs children and those nobody else would want to help.  I have to sadly admit that if I were to lend a hand for a child, I would be inclined to help a fully functioning one.  Not my big sis.  She reaches out as a Foster Mom, with her strong religious beliefs to give her strength and her genuine big heart, to help those children that fall into "the system" because of the shortcomings of their natural parents.  She has had kids envelope into her home that had moms that were prostitutes and abused.  She has opened her arms to those that have severe disabilities that are scratched off of anyone looking to adopt a child because they want a brand new baby, like a clean slate, to enter into their homes.  Not my sister.  She didn't debate or reflect on the impact, she just brought them in.

I always admired her and her husband's patience, love and strength to bring a child into their home that was not of their making but to make the most of the child.  It extended beyond them to their own three children who made it a part of their family and brought acceptance into their world.

Over the years there have been some sad situations these children were born to.  They were never sad to my sister or her husband, they were children that needed help.  They opened their arms, gave them their heart and absorbed their needs as their own.

We hear about Foster Parents.  Often it is shocking, rarely is it about the ones that are angels.  My sister is such an angel.  Gifted with children as others are talented building businesses, amassing money, or finding fortune.  She should be rich as a reward for what she has done for these many lost children from lost souls called parents. 

The "system" takes these kids from parents that cannot cope with them.  Whether it is because they have trouble with addictions, poor lifestyles, or simply unable to nurture the child that they brought into the world.  Thank heaven their are angels like my sister who reaches out to bring them into her arms and love them.  Unconditionally. 

Such was the good fortune of a young boy when he was four.  His mother had already four children by different fathers and she was only 24.  Social services decided that she was not fit for this boy and he was put out into the system.  Thankfully, my sister was there.

At four, he was unable to speak or communicate his needs nor accustomed to a loving home.  That changed when he walked into my sister's home.  He learned sign language and his frustrations were minimalized by just being able to express himself.  Eventually he could say a couple of words, only a couple, yet Ma-Ma and Da-Da meant the world.

He had a unique smile and it reached the soul of anyone he shone it on.  He had a goofy, fun personality that even my own kids grew to adore and accept.  Our family knew that a visit from my sister and her family was sure to include him.  It went without saying.

Lucky for me and my children, we learned from him.  Sure he did things that were different - from a boy with special needs.  Certainly, he had a contagious smile that allowed any of us to forget that.  He touched others in a way that extended beyond words.  He tested our boundaries on what is normal.   He taught  us acceptance.


This boy grew and grew.  He was perhaps bigger than many his same age, with a bigger heart than most.  Unfortunately, he started to have seizures.  Often unprovoked, unexpected and without cause.  This was distressing to my sister, but never faltered her love or commitment  to help this boy.

This past week, on the morning of Canada Day, July 1st, my sister was making blueberry pancakes, the boy's favorite.  Oddly, the smell didn't bring him to the kitchen so she asked her husband to go wake him up.  Sadly, he couldn't be woken up.  He had passed away during the night from a seizure.

My sister's heart is broken.  He was the love of her life and every new gesture, sign or smile showed promise.  It was never clear whether he was her angel or she was his.  What was to be was there were two angels among us.